Beliefs of people living with epilepsy in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana.

Journal: Seizure

Volume: 73

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG , Legon, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: atsudeegbe@yahoo.com. Department of Adult Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG , Legon, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: aziatol@yahoo.com. Department of Mental Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, P.O. Box LG , Legon, Accra, Ghana. Electronic address: aattiogbegh@yahoo.com.

Abstract summary 

The study aimed at describing the beliefs that People Living with Epilepsy (PLWE) have about the disease.A descriptive-exploratory qualitative design was employed to guide the study. Thirteen (13) participants living with epilepsy in the Accra Metropolis were purposively sampled. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted and data were analysed using the content analysis approach.The themes that emerged from the data were beliefs about signs and symptoms, causes, consequences and beliefs about cure and control of epilepsy. Participants believed epilepsy was a disgraceful illness. Most participants believed epilepsy was due to spiritual causes. Seizures resulted in injuries and were believed to have affected the education, work and relationships of the PLWE.The results suggest that the false beliefs about the causes of epilepsy were an indication of knowledge gap on the causes of epilepsy among the PLWE. Health care professionals should intensify health education campaigns on epilepsy to demystify traditional beliefs about epilepsy and promote greater understanding and acceptance of PLWE.

Authors & Co-authors:  Deegbe David Atsu DA Aziato Lydia L Attiogbe Alexander A

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  3
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.10.016
SSN : 1532-2688
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
Beliefs;Ghana;People living with epilepsy
Study Design
Case Control Trial,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England