Community perception of epilepsy and its treatment in onchocerciasis-endemic villages of Maridi county, western equatoria state, South Sudan
Group discussions were conducted with community leaders and with persons with epilepsy and their families.
Abstract
5 focus group discussions were conducted with community leaders and with persons with epilepsy (PWE) and their families between November and December 2019 to understand community perceptions of epilepsy in onchocerciasis-endemic villages.
Villages close to the Maridi dam were considered to be most affected by epilepsy. Misconceptions about the cause and treatment of epilepsy were identified. Most people believed that epilepsy is caused by bad spirits and is contagious, transmitted through saliva, air, and contact with PWE. Very few participants were aware of the link between onchocerciasis and epilepsy. Persons with epilepsy are restricted in their day-to-day activities and children with epilepsy are often denied going to school. Persons with epilepsy are stigmatized and seen as unfit for marriage. Most participants considered both traditional and medical treatment as ineffective. Uninterrupted anti-seizure treatment continuously was unaffordable for most families with one or more PWE.
There is a need to establish a comprehensive epilepsy treatment program which addresses misconceptions about epilepsy and reduces epilepsy-related stigma. Explaining the link between onchocerciasis and epilepsy could lead to a reduction in epilepsy-related stigma.
This research was supported by the Research for Health in Humanitarian Crises (R2HC) Programme.
Citation
Stephen Raimon Jada and others. ‘Community perception of epilepsy and its treatment in onchocerciasis-endemic villages of Maridi county, western equatoria state, South Sudan’ Epilepsy & Behavior, volume 127, February 2022