NCT06623994

Bridging the Treatment Gap by Expanding Access to Care for People With Epilepsy in Kenya (BEACON)

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 650 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Indiana University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 12 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This cluster randomized trial aims to learn about the effectiveness of task-sharing supported by an epilepsy medical records system (EMRS) (hereafter referred to as BEACON) with patient-tracking data in improving treatment adherence and retention in care in people with epilepsy in western Kenya.

Detailed description

Epilepsy is a serious neurological condition and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Globally, epilepsy prevalence is highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and Kenya has a high disease burden. Delay in treatment initiation and non-adherence increase disease-related burden in terms of low quality of life, high healthcare costs, risk for seizure-related injuries, and premature death The BEACON intervention is grounded in existing evidence-based intervention. Task-sharing, an intervention advocated by the World Health Organization and the Institute of Medicine. Researchers will compare patients receiving the BEACON intervention to those receiving usual care to see if there are any differences in treatment adherence and retention in care between the groups. Researchers will test BEACON's ability to: (1) improve care retention and treatment adherence; and (2) reduce seizure severity and perceived stigma and improve quality of life (QoL). The cost-effectiveness of the intervention will also be assessed. Data will be collected at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months (if warranted). This project will also build clinical and research capacity for epilepsy work in western Kenya.

Conditions

• Epilepsy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Task sharing with Epilepsy Medical Record Systems	Training multiple cadres of healthcare workers in epilepsy treatment and management to enable a team-based approach to address access to care. Task sharing will be supported by epilepsy medical records system with patient tracking data to support care retention

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-04
• Primary completion: 2028-10-01
• Completion: 2028-10-01
• First posted: 2024-10-02
• Last updated: 2026-02-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Kenya