What do women with epilepsy know about pregnancy?

Abstract

Background: Understanding the intersection of epilepsy and pregnancy, including knowledge gaps and healthcare access for women with epilepsy (WWE), is critical. This study evaluated WWE knowledge gaps and information needs concerning epilepsy’s impact on their sexual and reproductive health during pregnancy and examined healthcare system factors affecting their access to information, aiming to identify areas for improvement in educational and healthcare strategies to enhance health management for WWE.

Methods: From July 2022 to June 2023, 111 WWE aged 18 to 40 years were recruited from the family medicine and internal medicine outpatient departments at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Tembisa Tertiary Hospital (TTH), and Kalafong Hospital. Interviews assessed various aspects related to epilepsy in pregnancy and contraceptive use.

Results: The study found strong links between WWE, their demographics, and their awareness of pregnancy-related epilepsy issues. Participants from TTH showed notably higher awareness (85.5%) of risks from epilepsy and AED during pregnancy (p < 0.05). Age and education significantly influenced pregnancy planning and understanding of medication risks. Younger women (20–25 years) were more inclined towards future pregnancies, and those with more education were better informed about medication risks (p < 0.05); and 68.5% had received counselling on AED and contraceptive interactions, yet only 16.2% knew AED could reduce contraceptive effectiveness.

Conclusion: The study reveals significant knowledge gaps in WWE regarding the impact of epilepsy and AED on pregnancy, suggesting tailored educational and counselling initiatives to improve WWE health outcomes and quality of life, advancing chronic disease management and public health objectives.

Contribution: The study highlights substantial knowledge gaps in epilepsy during pregnancy among WWE, urging tailored counselling and information to empower informed decisions.