Publications by authors named "Jacopo Rovarini"
Article Synopsis
- In 2018, the prevalence of epilepsy in Maridi County, South Sudan, was found to be 43.8 per 1000 persons, with a significant portion linked to onchocerciasis, leading to the establishment of an epilepsy clinic in 2020.
- An evaluation in August 2023 showed that the clinic has increased the number of people with epilepsy (PWE) on anti-seizure medication by 39.7% and significantly reduced those experiencing daily seizures from 27.3% to 5.3%.
- Although the clinic has made positive changes, stigma surrounding epilepsy remains high, highlighting the need for ongoing education and resources for PWE in endemic areas.
Background: High onchocerciasis transmission predisposes endemic communities to a high epilepsy burden. The 4·4% epilepsy prevalence documented in 2018 in Maridi, South Sudan, prompted the strengthening of onchocerciasis elimination measures. Community-directed treatment with ivermectin was implemented annually in 2017, 2018, and 2019, interrupted in 2020, and re-implemented biannually in 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA two-phase survey of epilepsy was conducted in selected villages in Mundri West and East Counties (26 June-8 July, 2021), an onchocerciasis-endemic area in Western Equatoria State in South Sudan. In the first phase, households were visited by a trained research team to identify persons suspected to have epilepsy. In the second phase, persons suspected to have epilepsy were interviewed and examined by a clinician to confirm the diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Malnutrition constitutes one of the major public health challenges throughout the developing world. Urban poverty and malnutrition have been on the rise, with an increased rate of morbidity. We herein explore the relationship between infections and nutritional status and the related association with hygienic conditions as risk of infection in children residing in the slums of Nairobi.
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