ObjectiveTo understand the treatment status and economic burden of convulsive epilepsy patients in Hailin City, Heilongjiang Province, who had received an epilepsy management program that was terminated for 6 years, and to estimate the long-term effect of the epilepsy management program.MethodsFollow up the 234 patients in the program of epilepsy prevention and management in rural areas at the end of December 2011 by standardized questionnaire and interview.ResultsAmong the 234 patients who received antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and follow-up management at the end of epilepsy prevention and management program in rural areas, 172 patients received Phenobarbitone (PB) and 62 patients received Sodium valproate (VPA). 86 patients completed the survey. Among them, 46 (53.49%) were still taking original drugs, 31 (36.05%) changed to other AEDs, 9(10.47%) gave up the treatment due to the closure of the program. The treatment costs of patients in adherence group were also lower than that of other patients, and the average cost was only 43.61% of that of the replace group. There were statistical significant differences in annual household income, drug costs, offset seizure frequency and current seizure frequency between the two groups.ConclusionThe epilepsy management program had remarkable long-term effects and short-term effects, it had advantages in treatment effect and reducing drug costs. It could be recommended throughout rural China.