Following a new research done by Makerere University School of Public Health( MakSPH) more than 770,000 Ugandans have epilepsy.
According to the survey that was concluded by MakSPH between 2020 and 2022 the national prevalence of epilepsy stands at 1.69 percent.
Prof Fredrick Makumbi the principal investigator told this media that there was a variation of prevalence of the disease i. Terms of region,gender and age.
The new findings tops the eastern region with 2.16 percent a figure which is higher that the total rate. The central and western region with both 1.6 percent respectively while the northern region having the least prevalence rate with 1.35 percent.
The new findings also showed that the prevalence rate is high among the youth aged 18 to 35 year at 2.37 percent followed by those above 60 years with 2.34 percent.
However the prevalence rate is very low among the children below the age of 5 years with 0.86 per and those between the age of 6 and 18 with 1.42 percent.
Dr Makumbi also said the prevalence is high among females with 1.72 percent compared to males at 1.65 percent.
According to the World Health Organisation epilepsy is chronic non communicable diseases of the brain that affects the people of all ages.
WHO reports that around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy making it one of the most common neurological disease globally with nearly 80 percent of the case from low and middle income countries.
Dr Daniel Kyabayinze the director of health services at the ministry of health said the new figures of people with epilepsy is very high.