Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is a brain disease that involves recurrent unprovoked seizures.
Individuals with epilepsy typically carry 2 burdens: misunderstandings and stigma attached
to the condition, and the symptoms and disabilities associated with it. The perception and
attitude of communities towards people living with epilepsy (PLWE) have been evaluated in a
few studies. This study therefore assessed the perception and attitude of people living in the
Adaklu District, Volta Region, Ghana, towards PLWE.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study conducted on 250 participants.
Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using a structured questionnaire
based on the Health Belief Model. Bivariate analysis was used to find factors of perceived
susceptibility and benefit. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to show
whether an association existed.
Results: The results showed that 43% of the participants have good attitude towards PLWE.
In addition, the study revealed aside the belief in bad spirits, that the community has a good
perception on the causes of epilepsy. Majority of the respondents (70.4%) indicated geneticneuropathology as the cause of epilepsy, with a few (12.0%) ascribing poverty as a cause.
About 82.4% of the participants did not mind to stay in the same house with an epileptic
patient, and 50% agreed they could allow family members to marry PLWE. Demographics
such as marital status, sex, age, education, and occupation were found to be associated with
some perceived causes of epilepsy (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Findings on the knowledge about the cause of epilepsy, possible susceptibility
to developing epilepsy, and attitude of participants were similar to results from other lowincome settings. There must however be extensive and evidence-based education to further clarify misbeliefs and misconceptions about epilepsy in the Adaklu District.
Individuals with epilepsy typically carry 2 burdens: misunderstandings and stigma attached
to the condition, and the symptoms and disabilities associated with it. The perception and
attitude of communities towards people living with epilepsy (PLWE) have been evaluated in a
few studies. This study therefore assessed the perception and attitude of people living in the
Adaklu District, Volta Region, Ghana, towards PLWE.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study conducted on 250 participants.
Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect data using a structured questionnaire
based on the Health Belief Model. Bivariate analysis was used to find factors of perceived
susceptibility and benefit. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used to show
whether an association existed.
Results: The results showed that 43% of the participants have good attitude towards PLWE.
In addition, the study revealed aside the belief in bad spirits, that the community has a good
perception on the causes of epilepsy. Majority of the respondents (70.4%) indicated geneticneuropathology as the cause of epilepsy, with a few (12.0%) ascribing poverty as a cause.
About 82.4% of the participants did not mind to stay in the same house with an epileptic
patient, and 50% agreed they could allow family members to marry PLWE. Demographics
such as marital status, sex, age, education, and occupation were found to be associated with
some perceived causes of epilepsy (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Findings on the knowledge about the cause of epilepsy, possible susceptibility
to developing epilepsy, and attitude of participants were similar to results from other lowincome settings. There must however be extensive and evidence-based education to further clarify misbeliefs and misconceptions about epilepsy in the Adaklu District.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e16 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-13 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Global Health Science |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 2 |
Early online date | 5 Dec 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published online - 5 Dec 2023 |
Keywords
- Epilepsy
- Ghana
- Stigmatization
- Attitude
- Perception