Perceptions on physiopathology and preferred treatment of epilepsy and asthma in the Limpopo Province, South Africa: research

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyse perceptions of epilepsy and asthma, due to attribution of cause, suggested means of risk reduction and preferred treatment. The sample included 100 participants selected on the basis of quota sampling (10 males and 10 females from each of the five age groups: 5-10 years, 11-19, 20-34, 35-49 and 50 years and above) in a semi-urban area in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data were collected by a semi-structured interview in a household survey. Results show that 34% of all participants perceived the standard cause of epilepsy and 29% the suggested standard means of risk reduction, while 67% perceived the standard cause of asthma and 78% the suggested means for risk reduction. The majority of samples preferred medical treatment for both epilepsy and asthma. Concerning asthma, more men than women would consult traditional healers and other treatment, while more women than men would go for medical treatment and behaviour modification. Age group differences were only found for epilepsy: the elderly group perceived the standard cause more often than the younger group. Low levels of knowledge and misconceptions about epilepsy and to a lesser extent about asthma, call for health education.


Die doelwitte van hierdie studie was om persepsies van epilepsie en asma te analiseer na aanleiding van die toeskrywing van oorsaak, voorgestelde metodes van risikovermindering en verkose behandeling. Die steekproef het 100 deelnemers ingesluit, geselekteer op grond van kwota-steekproeftrekking (10 manlik en 10 vroulik vanuit elk van die vyf ouderdomsgroepe: 5-10 jaar, 11-19, 20-34, 35-49 en 50 jaar en ouer) in 'n semi-stedelike gebied in die Limpopo Provinsie, Suid-Afrika. Data is deur middel van 'n semi-gestruktueerde onderhoud, in 'n opname in huishoudings ingesamel. Resultate toon dat 34% van alle deelnemers die standaardoorsaak van epilepsie waargeneem het en 29% die voorgestelde standaardmetodes van risikovermindering, terwyl 67% die standaardoorsaak van asma waargeneem het en 78% die voorgestelde metodes van risikovermindering. Die oorgrote meerderheid van die steekproef het mediese behandeling vir beide epilepsie en asma verkies. Meer mans as vroue sal met tradisionele genesers konsulteer ten opsigte van asma en ander behandeling, terwyl meer vroue as mans hul vir mediese behandeling en gedragsmodifikasie sal aanmeld. Slegs vir epilepsie is daar ouderdomgroepsverskille gevind. Die ouer groep het die standaardoorsaak meer dikwels waargeneem as die jonger groep. Lae vlakke van kennis en wanopvattings ten opsigte van epilepsie en, tot 'n mindere mate ten opsigte van asma, noodsaak gesondheidsopvoeding.


Key words: Asthma, Epilepsy, Perceived causes, Risk reduction, Treatment


(Health SA Gesondheid : interdisciplinary research journal: 2003 8(1): 69-77)