Default and non-compliance among adult epileptics in Zaria, Nigeria. The need to restructure continued care.

Forty five epileptics were observed for non-compliance or default over 2 1/2 years. There were 39 episodes of non-compliance among 19 patients. Six patients had 3 or 4 episodes of non-compliance. Thirteen patients gave their reasons as non-availability of drugs or excessive cost of drugs. Drowsiness or confusion over drug dosages was the reason given by 3 others. Three other patients unilaterally suspended medication. Eighteen patients had defaulted. Twelve of them were males. Three had defaulted after only a single clinic attendance. Seizures in 9 patients were in temporary control immediately prior to default. It is suggested that otherwise well epileptics should be managed in their local community. As a matter of urgency governments need to provide drugs at subsidised rates and provide a mechanism for distributing them efficiently.