Improving epilepsy management through education in the Smara refugee camp: a pre-post quasi experimental longitudinal study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million people globally, with 80% residing in low- and middle-income countries, where access to adequate healthcare is limited. Refugees in the Smara camp, Algeria, face additional challenges such as scarce medical resources, societal stigma, and a lack of epilepsy management knowledge among healthcare workers and patients. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to evaluate whether providing epilepsy education for healthcare personnel can reduce the frequency, severity, and complications of seizures among individuals with epilepsy in the Smara refugee camp. STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: This study is designed as a quasi-experimental prepost longitudinal study involving 102 participants diagnosed with epilepsy in the Smara refugee camp within the Saharawi Refugee Camps. Participants will be recruited through consecutive non-probabilistic sampling at Smara’s dispensaries and regional hospital, with a recruitment period of two months. METHODS: The study begins with a 6-month observation phase to establish baseline epilepsy characteristics among patients. This is followed by an intervention phase, comprising structured educational sessions for healthcare personnel, who will then educate patients. Data on seizure frequency, severity, and complications will be collected via the Epilepsy Journal app. Baseline covariates will be assessed through self-reported data, clinical criteria, and validated tools, including the ESMS, MMAS-8, OSSS-3, and HESPER scales at the start of the study. A second 6-month observation phase will analyze post-intervention changes in the condition's nature