Abstracts

Rationale: Epilepsy self-management is the process and the steps or behaviors necessary for people to control seizures and manage the effects of having a seizure disorder. While self-management research has explored behaviors in the general population, less is known about minority populations. The purpose of this study was to assess self-management behaviors of African Americans with epilepsy. Methods: We employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design to conduct an online and paper and pencil survey of this population. Recruitment strategies included clinics, epilepsy foundation affiliates, social media and special event recruitment from summer 2017 through spring 2019. The questionnaire assessed self-management behaviors (Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Measurement Instrument 65-item-AESMMI), quality of life, epilepsy history and demographics. We ran descriptive analyses, computed subscales and ran reliability statistics for the AESMMI. Results: Generally, participants (N=114) were male (58.6%), from urban/suburban settings (86.5%), at least high school graduates (86.4%) and of lower income (86.5%). Their age ranged from 19 to 64 with a mean age of 53 (SD=10.9). Participants primarily had general non-convulsive (55.3%) and focal seizures (64.9%). Many were diagnosed at a young age (M=10.9), were on seizure medicines (91.2%), and had seen a primary care doctor (68.4%) or general neurologist for treatment (54.4%). Sixty percent had visited a neurologist in the past year. They had good quality of life (QOLIE, M=1.86) and low depression symptoms (PHQ8, M=3.13). Participants reported conducting behaviors in these domains more frequently: proactivity (M=4.11), medication adherence (M=3.92), healthcare communications (M=3.91), and social support (M=3.90). They performed behaviors related to treatment (M=3.34), stress management (M=3.56), and safety (M=3.58) less often. The overall internal reliability of the AESMMI was 0.88. Findings are clinically relevant as knowledge of self-management behaviors enables healthcare clinicians to support and encourage adults to improve management of their epilepsy. Conclusions: Services or interventions related to coping with stress, adherence with treatment and medication and safety may be warranted for African Americans with epilepsy. Funding: CDC Grant #U48DP005042 (SIP 14-007)