What does this research mean for the field?

Embedding a primary care-led, school-centered epilepsy detection program within existing national health initiatives significantly increases childhood epilepsy detection rates and improves caregiver knowledge in resource-limited settings without requiring additional specialist resources. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether embedding a structured, primary care-led epilepsy training model within an existing national school health program improves childhood epilepsy identification and provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

September 10, 2026Epilepsia OpenOpen Access

A primary care‐led school‐centered model for epilepsy detection and care among children in India

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Authors

SSSulena Sulena GSGagandeep Singh ANAkanksha Nagar

Discussion

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Overview

Implementation study demonstrates that school-based primary care training doubles childhood epilepsy detection, suggesting scalable community screening can narrow pediatric treatment gaps.

Key Points

To determine whether embedding a structured, primary care-led epilepsy training model within an existing national school health program improves childhood epilepsy identification and provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Conducted a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study in Faridkot district, Punjab, India, comparing pre-intervention (2019–2020) and post-intervention (2022–2023) screening data from Child Health Registers.
Delivered a co-designed structured epilepsy education program via a three-tier cascade training model to 1994 teachers across 398 schools, as well as community health workers and primary healthcare providers.
Confirmed screen-positive epilepsy cases using electroencephalogram (EEG) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices using pre- and post-training surveys alongside qualitative interviews.
Epilepsy detection rates increased from 56 to 129 per 100,000 screened children (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8), raising screening detection efficiency from 15.7% to 36.5%.
Identified post-intervention children were significantly more likely to be treatment-naive on multivariable logistic regression (adjusted OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.32–4.61), capturing 42 previously undiagnosed cases.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores improved significantly across all participating healthcare workers and educators (p < 0.001), with qualitative findings confirming high feasibility and acceptability.

Cite This Study

Sulena et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa2ae5058559d80afc7618a https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.70346

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September 10, 2026Epilepsia OpenOpen Access

A primary care‐led school‐centered model for epilepsy detection and care among children in India

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SSSulena Sulena GSGagandeep Singh ANAkanksha Nagar

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Implementation study demonstrates that school-based primary care training doubles childhood epilepsy detection, suggesting scalable community screening can narrow pediatric treatment gaps.

Key Points

To determine whether embedding a structured, primary care-led epilepsy training model within an existing national school health program improves childhood epilepsy identification and provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices.
Conducted a hybrid effectiveness-implementation study in Faridkot district, Punjab, India, comparing pre-intervention (2019–2020) and post-intervention (2022–2023) screening data from Child Health Registers.
Delivered a co-designed structured epilepsy education program via a three-tier cascade training model to 1994 teachers across 398 schools, as well as community health workers and primary healthcare providers.
Confirmed screen-positive epilepsy cases using electroencephalogram (EEG) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and practices using pre- and post-training surveys alongside qualitative interviews.
Epilepsy detection rates increased from 56 to 129 per 100,000 screened children (RR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8), raising screening detection efficiency from 15.7% to 36.5%.
Identified post-intervention children were significantly more likely to be treatment-naive on multivariable logistic regression (adjusted OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.32–4.61), capturing 42 previously undiagnosed cases.
Knowledge, attitudes, and practices scores improved significantly across all participating healthcare workers and educators (p < 0.001), with qualitative findings confirming high feasibility and acceptability.

Cite This Study

Sulena et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa2ae5058559d80afc7618a https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.70346

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