The family plays a significant role in epilepsy management in sub-Saharan Africa and how this role is perceived by persons with epilepsy could influence epilepsy outcomes. The objective of the study was to assess perception of family function by adolescents with epilepsy (AWE). The sociodemographic and epilepsy characteristics of AWE in a rural Nigerian community were assessed and the Family APGAR tool was used in assessing their perception of satisfaction with family functioning. Adolescents () constituted 26% of the community’s population and 18 (10.5/1000) had epilepsy. The AWE age range was 11–19 years (mean years) with a male preponderance (15, 83.3%). The family was the only source of care. Family dysfunction (Family APGAR Score <7) was indicated by 15 (83.3%) of the AWE. The strongest perception of family function was in adaptability while the weakest was with growth. The indication of family dysfunction was significant () in the older (age 14–19 years) AWE when compared with the younger AWE (11–13 years) in the study. Most of the AWE indicated living in a dysfunctional family setting. The study highlights the need to address the role of the family in the provision of comprehensive epilepsy care. 1. Introduction Epilepsy affects 70 million persons worldwide and a high age specific incidence is associated with the adolescent population [1, 2]. The worldwide mean prevalence of epilepsy is 8.9/1000 [3]. Epilepsy prevalence rates of 4.3–26.1/1000 have been reported from several child and adolescent populations globally [4]. A significant proportion of those with the disease live in low and middle income countries (LMICs) where there is limited access to effective treatment [1, 2]. Poor outcomes of epilepsy such as stigma, depression, poor quality of life, and even death have been associated with epilepsy in the adolescent [5–11]. Ignorance, poor sociocultural epilepsy perspectives, weak health systems, epilepsy treatment gap, weak social support system, and family dysfunction are some factors that are contributory to these poor epilepsy outcomes [1–3, 5–12]. Studies have shown that adolescent perspectives on epilepsy have significant impact on the outcomes of the disease [7–10, 13, 14]. Most of these studies have been on awareness and knowledge of epilepsy and attitudes towards and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in adolescents with epilepsy (AWE). Reports from these studies have indicated poor academic achievement, a comparatively lower HRQOL than that of the general population, lowered self-esteem, depression, poor attitudes, and a
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