Project 2 — Kenya Emerging Therapies Study

Healthcare worker awareness, attitudes, and ethical perspectives on emerging epilepsy therapies in Kenya: a cross-sectional study This study investigates the awareness, attitudes, and ethical perspectives of healthcare workers in Kenya regarding emerging treatments for epilepsy, including ketogenic dietary therapy, pharmaceutical cannabidiol, and newer anti-seizure medications. While these therapies have shown promise for treatment-resistant epilepsy in other parts of the world, their visibility, clinical uptake, and ethical positioning in sub-Saharan African settings remain largely uncharted. Using a structured survey complemented by qualitative interviews, the study captures what clinicians know, how confident they feel discussing these options with patients and caregivers, and what training or system-level gaps stand between current practice and improved access. The findings will inform training curricula, professional body engagement, and policy advocacy. This study is one part of a wider three-project programme on epilepsy care and access in sub-Saharan Africa, led by Dr. Phyllis Kimani. PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Dr. Phyllis Kimani, MPharm, UK and Kenya Qualified Pharmacist. COLLABORATORS Kenya-based academic and clinical research collaborators. Names will be added to this registration once formal collaboration agreements are in place. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional, mixed-methods. Quantitative survey complemented by qualitative interviews. STUDY POPULATION Healthcare workers in Kenya involved in epilepsy care: pharmacists, nurses, doctors, clinical officers, and neurology trainees. SETTING / LOCATION Kenya. Specific recruitment sites will be confirmed during the protocol finalisation phase. SAMPLE SIZE 40–60 healthcare workers. INCLUSION CRITERIA Registered healthcare workers (pharmacists, nurses, doctors, clinical officers, neurology trainees) currently practising in Kenya and involved in epilepsy care, either directly or as part of a clinical team. EXCLUSION CRITERIA Healthcare workers not involved in epilepsy care; trainees outside the listed disciplines. DATA COLLECTION METHODS - Structured questionnaire covering awareness, attitudes, and ethical perspectives on emerging epilepsy therapies. - Semi-structured follow-up interviews with a subset of survey respondents. ANALYSIS PLAN Descriptive and inferential analysis of survey responses. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts. Triangulation to identify knowledge gaps and policy implications. ETHICS Ethics approval will be sought from a Kenyan institutional review board (AMREF ESRC or equivalent). Approval reference will be added to this registration once granted. FUNDING Programme-level funding being sought; this registration does not commit any specific funder. ANTICIPATED START DATE Subject to ethics approval. Anticipated within the funded programme phase. ANTICIPATED END DATE Approximately 4–6 months from start of recruitment. STATUS In planning. PLANNED OUTPUTS - Peer-reviewed journal manuscript. - Conference abstract and poster. - Continuing professional development materials for healthcare workers. KEYWORDS epilepsy; emerging therapies; ketogenic dietary therapy; cannabidiol; healthcare worker knowledge; Kenya; sub-Saharan Africa; cross-sectional.