A study on childhood epilepsy among traders in Benin City Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Epilepsy is a serious childhood disease associated with stigmatization in the community. Despite the deleterious effect of the disease on childhood brain growth and development, the disease is treatable.Objective:The aim of this study is to document the knowledge of childhood epilepsy by community members using traders (market women and men in a popular market in Benin City, Nigeria) as a case study.Methodology:This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in April 2018. Data collection was by researcher-administered questionnaire. The respondents were traders (women and men) in Edaiken market Benin City Nigeria who were recruited consecutively during the period of the study. The analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21, and the level of statistical significance of variables was set at 95% confidence level and P < 0.05.Results:Of the 500 respondents, 47 (9.4%) males and 453 (90.6%) females; mean age (standard deviation) was 35.3 ± 9.4 years. Total knowledge score of childhood epilepsy in this study was 27.6%. Only 116 (23.2%) study participants gave correctly a description of epileptic fits in a child. Although majority 71.0% said that epilepsy has the medical cure, none was able to mention any known drugs for the treatment of epilepsy and 72.6% said that they would use traditional remedies.Conclusion:The overall observed knowledge score of childhood epilepsy was low. Although most respondents stated that epilepsy has medical cure, majority preferred the traditional options for treatment. These findings, therefore, highlighted the need to enlighten the public about childhood epilepsy and its medical treatment options.

Perspective Chapter: Determinants of Health-Care Seeking Behaviors and Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy in Nigeria

“…Children with epilepsy (CWE) just like other children are dependent on their caregivers and so the caregiver's perception and belief systems with regards to seizure etiology (hereditary, influence of spirits and witchcraft, excessive intake of palm oil) and their cultural background influence decisions regarding the choice of care for them [7][8][9][10][11]. In many parts of Nigeria, epilepsy is considered a spiritual disease and not amenable to medical treatment, consequently, treatment choices are often unorthodox involving consultation with traditional and spiritual healers [7,[11][12][13]. Sometimes herbal therapies are readily available at home and serve as the first treatment option before presentation to other facilities [7].…”

“…In some parts of Nigeria particularly in rural settings, people perceive that epilepsy is a curse by the gods, a sign of witchcraft activity, or demon possession. In such communities, epilepsy is regarded as a spiritual problem that is not amenable to medical treatment, so a traditional or spiritual approach to treatment is often the first or preferred option [8,12,15]. These include scarifications, herbal preparations, spiritual exorcism, charms, fire/smoke therapy, and sometimes sacrificial offerings.…”