- Mental Health
Reality, incidence and prevalence of epilepsy in El Salvador
El Salvador in the region epilepsy panorama
According to the WHO and PAHO Report on Epilepsy in Latin America and the Caribbean presented in Washington in 2013, it is revealed that only nine of the countries surveyed in LAC (36.0%) have a plan / program of Action for the care of people with epilepsy. Countries that reported having a national plan or program are: El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela and the Bahamas. Of these, six have approved or updated this plan in the last 10 years (after 2002). However, regarding the situation in terms of legislation, El Salvador does not form part of 20.0% of the countries surveyed that have national legislation related to epilepsy. (Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 2013)
According to this same report in El Salvador there are no associations of professionals, neurologists and users / relatives related to epilepsy. Nor does El Salvador have training / continuing medical education (EMC) programs in epilepsy for professionals. (Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 2013)
Link to a salvadorian newspaper about the conditions of the National Psychiatric Hospital
Psychological care of patients with epilepsy in El Salvador
Regarding the availability of other services for people with epilepsy in El Salvador, there is a report of services aimed at rehabilitation in public care, located for the case of the National Psychiatric Hospital, although this center has repeated complications to give Supply to the regular demand as well as various deficiencies and irregularities according to diverse journalistic and informative sources. (Elsalvador.com, s. F.)
In El Salvador, this subject has been followed up at the level of governmental health institutions through various technical guidelines for comprehensive and integrated care for the person with epilepsy. These guidelines refer to epilepsy as a frequent neurological disorder in the world, estimating it to approximately fifty million people suffering from the disease, emphasizing among its serious consequences diverse aspects and biological and economic level for the patient, his family and the Society in general the psychological factor. (Ministry of Health of the Government of El Salvador, 2014)
The proposed guidelines include the strengthening of the training and continuing medical training of general practitioners, family physicians, internists, pediatricians, neurologists and support groups (nursing, psychologists, health educators) in the same legislature. If available with a psychologist or psychiatrist, the cognitive and emotional components of the patients should be evaluated. (Ministry of Health of the Government of El Salvador, 2014)
Finally, this document contemplates, regarding epilepsy, instances of Psychoeducational Approach and Self-Help for Family Caregivers and Caregivers of People with Epilepsy (Ministry of Health of the Government of El Salvador, 2014).
Levels of intervention
Family / caregiver
It should facilitate a psychoeducational and self-help process for the person with epilepsy, supported by health personnel, the development of self-help groups and mutual support, aimed at the family, caregivers of people with epilepsy.
refers to people suffering from epilepsy who are expected, according to their abilities, to learn about their disease, self care and assistance to support groups in order to acquire knowledge and empowerment Skills about their care, defense and promotion of their rights.
it involves the level of adjustments that the family structure must undergo in order to reorganize itself in order to handle the needs of the person who is diagnosed with Epilepsy according to the specific type of epilepsy, as well as its treatment and complications.