Novita Suci, M. Arief Wijaksono, Ahmad Syahlani, Muhammad Ihya ulumuddin

GAMBARAN KEPATUHAN MINUM OBAT PADA ANAK DENGAN PENDERITA EPILEPSI DI RSUD PAMBALAH BATUNG

Introduction

Gambaran kepatuhan minum obat pada anak dengan penderita epilepsi di rsud pambalah batung. Pelajari gambaran kepatuhan minum obat pada anak penderita epilepsi di RSUD Pambalah Batung. Hasil studi menunjukkan sebagian besar anak memiliki kepatuhan tinggi terhadap pengobatan.

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disease with a high incidence rate, especially in developing countries because the health service system has not been successful in eradicating the causes of Epilepsy. Epilepsy is like other chronic diseases, its recurrence can be controlled by compliance with taking medication. Epilepsy treatment is carried out over a long period of time, perhaps even for the patient's lifetime, however, long-term regular use of medication increases the risk of non-compliance with treatment. Objective: To determine treatment compliance in children with epilepsy at Pambalah Batung, Hospital. Method: Quantitative research with observational descriptive design. The sample consisted of 25 parents of children with epilepsy who sought treatment at the Children's Polyclinic at Pambalah Batung, Hospital in April 2024. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis. Results: Children with epilepsy range in age from 1 year to 9 years. The duration of epilepsy was less than 3 months for 22 people (88%) and more than 3 months for 3 people (12%). Compliance with treatment in children with epilepsy was high as many as 24 people (60%) and moderate compliance as many as 9 people (36%). Conclusion: Most children with epilepsy have high medication compliance and a small number have moderate compliance. It is hoped that Pambalah Batung, Hospital will continue to provide health education to patients and families about caring for epilepsy sufferers at home and always recommend that they comply with the consumption of antiepileptic drugs to avoid repeated seizures or other undesirable things. Keyword: Epilepsy; Medication Compliance

Review

This descriptive study addresses a highly relevant and critical public health issue: medication compliance in children suffering from epilepsy. Given the chronic nature of epilepsy and the necessity of long-term pharmacological intervention, understanding adherence patterns, especially in a pediatric population where parents manage treatment, is crucial. The study's objective to assess compliance in a specific hospital setting in Indonesia provides valuable context-specific data, suggesting a generally high level of medication adherence among the surveyed patient-parent dyads, which is a positive finding for the local healthcare system. While the study tackles an important topic, several methodological concerns significantly impact the robustness and interpretability of its findings. The sample size of 25 parents is notably small, limiting the generalizability of the results beyond the immediate study population. More critically, the abstract lacks essential detail regarding the methodology used to measure "compliance." Without a clear description of the assessment tool (e.g., self-report questionnaires, pill counts, prescription refill rates, or a validated scale), the reliability and validity of the reported compliance rates (high vs. moderate) are difficult to ascertain. Furthermore, a significant discrepancy exists in the reported results: "high as many as 24 people (60%) and moderate compliance as many as 9 people (36%)" sums to 33 individuals and 96%, which does not align with the stated sample size of 25. This mathematical inconsistency must be clarified and corrected. Additionally, the high proportion of patients with an epilepsy duration of less than 3 months (88%) is striking; this raises questions about whether these newly diagnosed or short-term patients accurately reflect the long-term adherence challenges typically associated with chronic diseases. Despite these limitations, the study offers an initial snapshot that can inform local healthcare practices, particularly the recommendation for Pambalah Batung Hospital to continue patient and family education. For future research, it is strongly advised to utilize a larger, more diverse sample, clearly define and validate the chosen compliance measurement instrument, and potentially explore other factors influencing adherence, such as socioeconomic status, parental education levels, and perceptions of medication side effects. Longitudinal studies would also be beneficial to track compliance over extended periods, reflecting the true nature of epilepsy management. Addressing the identified data discrepancy is paramount to ensure the credibility of any reported statistics. This study serves as a preliminary step, but further rigorous investigation is required to establish robust conclusions and inform broader clinical guidelines or interventions.

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