Factors Associated with Pharmacotherapy Care of Pregnant Women with Epilepsy in Khartoum State, Sudan

Epilepsy is a common and non-communicable disorder of the brain affecting people of all ages. While epilepsy may cause complications in women during pregnancy, women can still enjoy healthy pregnancy with proper medical care. This study was aimed at identifying factors associated with enhancing pharmacotherapy care of pregnant women with epilepsy in Khartoum State, Sudan. This research was conducted using survey method to gather cross-sectional data from 30 pregnant women who are using prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), 30 doctors and 30 pharmacists. Structured Interview Schedule was used to collect data from study subjects. Sixty percent of sampled pharmacists contain AEDs prescribed by  physicians. In addition, only 23% of the women respondents were able to afford the prices of AEDs prescribed for them, and 63% of them purchased their prescribed AEDs from private pharmacies where prices are higher. Moreover, the difference in the level of effort by pregnant women to ensure compliance and safety in use of AEDs prescribed is not associated with differences in age, educational level  and source of income of the women respondents, as well as availability and affordability of AEDs to the women. No association was found between the compliance and safety among respondents and age group, educational level and sources of income of the women respondents as well as availability and affordability of AEDS. Moreover, there is need for more on-the-job training for pharmacists in order to develop their knowledge and skills to ensure patient compliance and safety.