Barriers to Care for Patients With Neurologic Disease in Rural Zambia

Common neurologic problems account for more than 20% of our global disease burden, and poorer countries are disproportionately affected.¹ Population-based studies in developing countries have identified treatable entities, such as epilepsy, neuropathies, and central nervous system infections, as prominent problems. Cerebrovascular disease already impacts heavily on these populations and may be on the rise because of demographic and behavioral changes.² Unfortunately, several unique barriers to care exist for patients with neurologic disease in developing countries. A better understanding of these barriers from both a patient and a care provider perspective may help guide further resource utilization and encourage outside assistance for this underserved population.