Vol. 2, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

Background: Medication adherence is crucial in the management of paediatric epilepsy, directly influencing seizure control and quality of life. Despite therapeutic advances, adherence rates remain suboptimal due to multifactorial barriers involving clinical, behavioural, and family dynamics. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured family-centred intervention on improving adherence to antiepileptic drug regimens and reducing seizure frequency among children with epilepsy. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 120 children aged 5-15 years with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy and their primary caregivers. Participants were allocated into an intervention group receiving structured family-centred education, counselling, and follow-up support, and a control group receiving routine care. Adherence was measured at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks using a composite score based on caregiver self-report, pill counts, and pharmacy refill data. Seizure frequency was recorded at baseline and 12 weeks. Data were analysed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and multivariable linear regression. Results: At 12 weeks, mean adherence was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with controls (86.2% versus 78.9%, p<0.001). The proportion of children achieving ≥80% adherence was 78.3% in the intervention group versus 46.7% in controls (p<0.001). Seizure frequency decreased significantly in the intervention group (mean reduction of 1.0 seizures/month), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group. Regression analysis confirmed that participation in the family-centred intervention was an independent predictor of higher adherence after adjusting for baseline adherence and clinical variables. Conclusion: The family-centred approach effectively enhanced medication adherence and improved clinical outcomes in children with epilepsy. Empowering caregivers through structured education, counselling, and follow-up significantly supports treatment continuity and seizure control. These findings highlight the need to integrate family-focused strategies into routine paediatric epilepsy care to ensure sustainable health outcomes and improved quality of life.