Determining the prevalence of epilepsy in the semi-urban population of Nakuru, Kenya, comparing two independent methods not apparently used before in epilepsy studies.

Abstract

Due to meagre resources in terms of trained medical personnel and financial support and the absence of accurate population-based data in most parts of the developing world, there is an urgent need to develop new epidemiological study designs that are simple, accurate and easy to use. Key informant methodology and random cluster sample survey methods were used independently (a) to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and (b) to compare the efficiency, cost effectiveness and feasibility of the two survey methods. The random cluster method proved more scientifically valid and sensitive as compared to the key informant methods, which was found to be less accurate, although simple and easy to use, for example, by nonmedical workers in identifying epileptics.