RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Children's access to treatment for epilepsy: experience from the Lao People's Democratic Republic JF Archives of Disease in Childhood JO Arch Dis Child FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health SP 309 OP 313 DO 10.1136/adc.2009.181255 VO 96 IS 3 A1 Barennes, Hubert A1 Sengkhamyong, Khouanheuane A1 Sambany, Emercia M A1 Koffi, Paulin N A1 Chivorakul, Phetvongsinh A1 Empis, Gwenaelle A1 Clavel, Sébastien A1 Somphavong, Silaphet A1 Wangkou, Nengyang A1 Rajaonarivo, Christian A1 Harimanana, Aina YR 2011 UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/96/3/309.abstract AB Epilepsy affects an estimated 10.5 million children worldwide, of whom 80% live in developing countries. The treatment gap is estimated at around 90% in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The present work analyses some of the reasons that could explain the low access to antiepileptic drugs (AED) for children with epilepsy in the Lao PDR. Epilepsy, the ‘mad pig disease’, is highly neglected. Traditional beliefs, fear and stigma are common among the general population and shared by 40% of health staff. Poor knowledge of the disease and its treatment, low trust in modern treatment, restricted access to AED and ignorance of long-term treatment explain the low access to AED. Improving understanding of epilepsy and its treatment, will improve the treatment gap for epileptic children in the Lao PDR.