Psychosocial assessment methods in childhood epilepsy: Focus on sub-Saharan Africa

The scale of evidence tilts towards the contention that epileptic children as a group are at a disadvantage regarding intellectual and emotional development and have higher rates of behavioural abnormalities than their non-epileptic peers. Differentiating factors logically point to the problem areas which should be enquired into in a comprehensive assessment of a child with epilepsy and should facilitate formulation of viable intervention stratagems. A critical review of the literature reveals that, of five major assessment methods, the use of a standardised and valid questionnaire is likely to yield the most reliable clinical information. However, a complete assessment package should include drug use monitoring, evaluation of cultural milieu and family psychodynamics.