Literature Review Open Access August 22, 2025

Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact

1
Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
2
Institut Supérieur des Techniques Médicales de Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Page(s): 23-40
Received
June 17, 2025
Revised
July 26, 2025
Accepted
August 19, 2025
Published
August 22, 2025
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright: Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Scientific Publications
Article metrics
Views
157
Downloads
24

Cite This Article

APA Style
Bugeme, M. , Bugeme, M. *, O. M. , *, O. M. Muyumba, E. K. , & Muyumba, E. K. (2025). Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact. Current Research in Public Health, 3(1), 23-40. https://doi.org/10.31586/ojn.2025.6161
ACS Style
Bugeme, M. ; Bugeme, M. *, O. M. ; *, O. M. Muyumba, E. K. ; Muyumba, E. K. Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact. Current Research in Public Health 2025 3(1), 23-40. https://doi.org/10.31586/ojn.2025.6161
Chicago/Turabian Style
Bugeme, Marcellin, Marcellin Bugeme. Olivier Mukuku *, Olivier Mukuku *. Emmanuel Kiyana Muyumba, and Emmanuel Kiyana Muyumba. 2025. "Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact". Current Research in Public Health 3, no. 1: 23-40. https://doi.org/10.31586/ojn.2025.6161
AMA Style
Bugeme M, Bugeme M* OM, * OMMuyumba EK, Muyumba EK. Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact. Current Research in Public Health. 2025; 3(1):23-40. https://doi.org/10.31586/ojn.2025.6161
@Article{crph6161,
AUTHOR = {Bugeme, Marcellin and *, Olivier Mukuku and Muyumba, Emmanuel Kiyana and Bora, Béatrice Koba},
TITLE = {Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact},
JOURNAL = {Current Research in Public Health},
VOLUME = {3},
YEAR = {2025},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {23-40},
URL = {https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojn/article/view/6161},
ISSN = {2831-5162},
DOI = {10.31586/ojn.2025.6161},
ABSTRACT = {This literature review delves deeply into the epidemiology, structural and cultural challenges, and management strategies of status epilepticus (SE) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Incidence rates of SE vary significantly between countries, with notable disparities associated with socio-economic contexts, healthcare infrastructures, and cultural perceptions of epilepsy. The management of SE in this region is often hindered by constraints in medical infrastructure, inadequate access to specialist diagnostics such as electroencephalogram, and limited availability of essential anti-epileptic drugs, which are frequently out of reach for rural populations. These challenges are further exacerbated by the social stigma and cultural beliefs surrounding epilepsy, impeding access to care and widening inequalities. Moreover, the scarcity of qualified medical personnel undermines the efficient and prompt management of this neurological emergency. The review underscores the pressing need to enhance healthcare infrastructures, boost the capabilities of healthcare professionals, and conduct community awareness initiatives to destigmatize epilepsy and lessen prejudice. Additionally, practical recommendations are put forward for enhancing local capacity, fostering equity in care access, and mitigating regional health disparities in SSA.},
}
%0 Journal Article
%A Bugeme, Marcellin
%A *, Olivier Mukuku
%A Muyumba, Emmanuel Kiyana
%A Bora, Béatrice Koba
%D 2025
%J Current Research in Public Health

%@ 2831-5162
%V 3
%N 1
%P 23-40

%T Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact
%M doi:10.31586/ojn.2025.6161
%U https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojn/article/view/6161
TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bugeme, Marcellin
AU  - *, Olivier Mukuku
AU  - Muyumba, Emmanuel Kiyana
AU  - Bora, Béatrice Koba
TI  - Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact
T2  - Current Research in Public Health
PY  - 2025
VL  - 3
IS  - 1
SN  - 2831-5162
SP  - 23
EP  - 40
UR  - https://www.scipublications.com/journal/index.php/ojn/article/view/6161
AB  - This literature review delves deeply into the epidemiology, structural and cultural challenges, and management strategies of status epilepticus (SE) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Incidence rates of SE vary significantly between countries, with notable disparities associated with socio-economic contexts, healthcare infrastructures, and cultural perceptions of epilepsy. The management of SE in this region is often hindered by constraints in medical infrastructure, inadequate access to specialist diagnostics such as electroencephalogram, and limited availability of essential anti-epileptic drugs, which are frequently out of reach for rural populations. These challenges are further exacerbated by the social stigma and cultural beliefs surrounding epilepsy, impeding access to care and widening inequalities. Moreover, the scarcity of qualified medical personnel undermines the efficient and prompt management of this neurological emergency. The review underscores the pressing need to enhance healthcare infrastructures, boost the capabilities of healthcare professionals, and conduct community awareness initiatives to destigmatize epilepsy and lessen prejudice. Additionally, practical recommendations are put forward for enhancing local capacity, fostering equity in care access, and mitigating regional health disparities in SSA.
DO  - Status Epilepticus in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review on Epidemiological Challenges, Socio-Cultural Barriers, and Public Health Impact
TI  - 10.31586/ojn.2025.6161
ER  -