Magnitude and Patterns of Post-Traumatic Epilepsy among Epilepsy Patients on Follow-Up at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital and Zewiditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

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Background: Post-traumatic epilepsy is characterized by development of at least one seizure after the first week following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In Ethiopia, there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence of post-traumatic epilepsy among epileptic patients.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic epilepsy among epilepsy patients on follow-up at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) and Zewidtu Memorial Hospital (ZMH).

Methods and materials: An institution-based cross-sectional study design was implemented among patients with epilepsy attending the neurology clinic of TASH and ZMH. Data was collected from patients and medical records using a structured questionnaire and data abstraction format respectively. Descriptive analysis was conducted to summarize the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of participants.

Results: In this study, 280 patients with epilepsy participated from Tikur Anbesa Specialized Hospital and Zewidtu Memorial Hospital with a response rate of 85%. Among participants, 21 (7.5%) were diagnosed with post-traumatic epilepsy. The mean age of these patients was 41.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.6:1. Road traffic accidents were the primary cause of brain trauma (61.9%) and subdural hematoma (19.04%) and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (19.04%) were the commonest imaging finding. In the majority of cases (91.5%), seizures began within a period of three years following a traumatic event. Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (57.1%) were the most common seizure type and generalized epileptiform discharges (35%) were the most common EEG finding.

Conclusions:  Post-traumatic epilepsy contributes significantly to the number of patients with epilepsy presenting to our neurology services, predominantly affecting the young active population, with road traffic accidents being the common mechanism.

Self-Acceptance of Breast Cancer Patients in the Minahasa Cultural Context of North Sulawesi: A Literature Review

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Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women compared to other types of cancer. Both the disease and its treatment have not only physical impacts but also significant psychological effects. Common psychological impacts experienced by breast cancer patients include anxiety, depression, fear of death, body image disturbances, and low self-acceptance. The aspect of self-acceptance plays a crucial role in the psychological adaptation process of breast cancer patients. In Minahasa society, culture and spirituality hold a central role in shaping how individuals perceive illness and the healing process. Beliefs in ancestral spirits, traditional healing practices, and life philosophies such as mapalus influence how patients respond to a cancer diagnosis and make decisions regarding medical treatment. This paper aims to conceptually explore how cultural beliefs in the Minahasa community influence self-acceptance among breast cancer patients and to discuss the application of the transcultural nursing approach using Leininger’s Sunrise Enabler Model. This conceptual paper is based on a literature review of relevant scientific articles, ethnographic sources, and cultural texts. The analysis is conducted using a conceptual framework based on the Sunrise Enabler model and Madeleine Leininger’s Culture Care theory. The literature study reveals that Minahasa culture significantly influences how patients accept their illness. Spirituality, traditional beliefs, and social support rooted in the mapalus value system can enhance self-acceptance. However, certain cultural beliefs also pose challenges, such as the myth that surgery can worsen cancer. In this context, nurses play a crucial role in culturally sensitive and collaborative repatterning through education. In conclusion, nursing approaches that acknowledge and respect local culture can effectively support patients’ self-acceptance. The nurse’s role in care delivery includes an approach that addresses patients’ spiritual, social, and cultural traditions. This holistic approach is vital for promoting treatment adherence and improving the quality of life of breast cancer patients, especially within culturally rich communities like the Minahasa society.