[A report on a feasibility test of "community control of epilepsy" proposed by WHO]

Abstract

According to a protocol proposed by the Division of Mental Health, WHO, a feasibility test for "Community Control of Epilepsy" was carried out in rural areas of Beijing and Sichuan. This project means to detect, control and follow-up patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures using primary health care workers 40 patients were chosen to be administrated phenobarbital and divided randomly into two groups. 20 in community "A" treated by primary health care workers who were trained by a three-day course, 20 in community "B" treated by neurologists. Patients in both communities were compliant and the curative effects were no difference between the two groups. The primary health care workers could master the fixed method and manage patients conveniently. This present study revealed that the "Community Control of Epilepsy" is a feasible project in the rural areas of China.