Knowledge, Beliefs and Misconceptions about Epilepsy and its Treatment in a Rural Community in South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is not only one of the oldest known  neurological disorder but also one of the most prevalent chronic  brain disorder worldwide. The social pathology associated with  epilepsy drives the people with epilepsy (PWE) and their families into  the shadows and widens epilepsy treatment gap. How much  the social aspects of epilepsy and epilepsy care has changed in rural  African communities in the globalized world is yet to be fully  elucidated.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the level of  knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy and the people living with  epilepsy (PWE) by adult inhabitants of a rural southeastern Nigerian  community.

Methodology: This was a cross sectional door-to-door  population survey. Interview on select aspects of knowledge and  attitude to epilepsy was conducted using a pretested semi- structured questionnaire.

Results: Three hundred and seven (90.3%)  of the respondents reported awareness of epilepsy, 61(18%) had  good knowledge on epilepsy but attitude towards epilepsy was  negative. The key source of information on epilepsy for 133 (43.3%)  respondents was health workers, while 125 (40.7%) reported that  epilepsy was a medical disease. Associations existed between level of  knowledge on epilepsy and gender (p=0.0023); marital status  (p=0.0012) and educational attainment (p= 0.0476).

Conclusions:  Awareness of epilepsy though high among the rural inhabitants yet  a wide gap still exist regarding the knowledge and attitude towards  epilepsy. It is hoped that with adequate culturally appropriate  educational programs, channelled through the media and health  workers in rural communities the existing gap in knowledge and   treatment will be bridged.