Beliefs on epilepsy in Northern Ghana

Adjei, Patrick; Akpalu, Albert; Laryea, Ruth; Nkromah, Kojo; Sottie, Cynthia Akorfa; Ohene, Sammy; Osei, Akwasi

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.07.034

Cited by 28 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Epilepsy is associated with important medical, psychological, economic and social consequences for the affected individuals and their families as well as their communities. Indeed, the socio-cultural implications of epilepsy including taboo, stigma and exclusion are well known [ 3 , 4 ]. Moreover, persons with epilepsy (PWE) are confronted with socio-cultural and health barriers, resulting in insufficient access to treatment, especially anti-epileptic medications (AEM) [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community perceptions of epilepsy and its treatment in an onchocerciasis endemic region in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo

et al. 2018

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BackgroundA recent study in the Logo and Rethy health zones in the Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reported that the majority of the persons with epilepsy (PWE) had not been treated with anti-epileptic medication (AEM) or had stopped treatment. Prior to the implementation of an epilepsy treatment programme in these health zones, this study investigated the perceptions and experiences regarding epilepsy and its treatment amongst community leaders, PWE and/or their families, traditional healers and health professionals.MethodsA total of 14 focus group discussions (FGD) and 39 semi-structured interviews (SSI) were conducted with PWE and/or their family members, community leaders, traditional healers, and health professionals in the Logo and Rethy health zones during February 2–19, 2017.ResultsIn the two health zones, the clinical signs of convulsive epilepsy were recognized by community members. However, a variety of misconceptions about epilepsy were identified including the beliefs that epilepsy is a family-related condition, a contagious disease, is transmitted by insects, saliva or by touching a person of the same sex during seizures, or is caused by evil spirits and witchcraft. The role of traditional healers in spreading these beliefs was revealed. The study also reported sexual abuse on PWE, stigmatisation of PWE and loss of productivity of PWE and their families. Some PWE had been using AEM and traditional treatment but were not convinced about the efficacy of these treatment options. The lack of training of health providers about epilepsy care, financial barriers in obtaining AEM, and the shortage of AEM at primary health facilities were revealed. As remedies, the community requested access to a decentralized center for epilepsy treatment. They also proposed using churches and community health workers as communication channels for information about epilepsy.ConclusionsClinical signs of convulsive epilepsy were recognized by the community in the Logo and Rethy health zones but many misconceptions about epilepsy were identified. A comprehensive community-based epilepsy treatment programme with an affordable uninterrupted AEM supply needs to be established. Such a programme should address stigma, misconceptions, sexual abuse and foster the rehabilitation of PWE to alleviate poverty.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community perceptions of epilepsy and its treatment in an onchocerciasis endemic region in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo

et al. 2018

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“…The authors particularly referred to epilepsy information that was conveyed via a video documentary, Pfari muZimbabwe , which showed a PWE who was tied to a tree as a form of isolating him from the community. Similarly, Adjei et al 14 found that a man who had epilepsy in late adulthood was subjected to neglect and marginalisation in social participation – probably because of a lack of factual information regarding who can get epilepsy and at what age a person can get the illness. These findings show a need for formative research to ensure appropriateness of the content of epilepsy information materials.…”

Section: Review Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Their review findings show that caregivers of PWE face major health and socio-economic challenges, which are because of factors such as polygamous marriages, poor marital relationships, lack of financial support and traditional norms, which restrict caregiving roles to women. On the other hand, Adjei et al 14 in Northern Ghana found that a female carer who was economically empowered was believed to have gained evil wealth by engaging in witchcraft-related actions, which involved inflicting her child with epilepsy.…”

Section: Review Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 However, these aspects were not fully examined – yet they have been raised as important issues for western trained healthcare professionals because of the concern that they are most often ignored. 36 For example, in Malawi, Munthali et al 37 found that one of the study participants reported being advised by a HCW to stop seizure medication and to use traditional/spiritual treatments – showing a need for research in this area.…”

Section: Review Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Adjei et al 14 reported in their study on perceptions of HCWs about their communities’ views on epilepsy. Although this study did not focus on HCWs perceptions per se, perception such as that ‘men who develop epilepsy have worms in their anuses’ were of concern.…”

Section: Review Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychosocial challenges affecting the quality of life in adults with epilepsy and their carers in Africa: A review of published evidence between 1994 and 2014

Keikelame

Suliaman

Hendriksz

et al. 2017

Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med.

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BackgroundLittle attention has been paid to the psychosocial challenges of adult patients with epilepsy and their carers in Africa in published studies conducted between 1994 and 2014 – yet these psychosocial challenges have been reported to have a major impact on the quality of life (QOL) of people living with the illness and those who care for them.AimThis review aimed to examine the literature on published studies conducted in Africa between 1994 and 2014 that examined psychosocial challenges of adult people with epilepsy and their carers. The aim was to examine the kind of psychosocial challenges from published evidence and to identify gaps in current knowledge.MethodsMEDLINE, PubMed, ERIC, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Africa Wide, PsycINFO, EMBASE, PASCAL, SABINET and Google Scholar databases and hand searches of Epilepsy & Behavior, Epilepsia, South African Medical Journal, African Journal of Disability and African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine were reviewed.ResultsVery few studies in Africa have examined psychosocial challenges affecting the adult patients with epilepsy and their carers. This review reported the existence of evidence of such challenges and the insights into the psychosocial and economic factors that underpin them.There is evidence that where these have been addressed, there were valuable insights on the types of psychosocial, socio-cultural and socio-economic challenges. Collaborative empowering interventions are needed to enable the attainment of good QOL for those affected.ConclusionResearch on psychosocial challenges of adult patients with epilepsy and their carers from different sectors of healthcare to inform the design of appropriate models is needed.

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Medical Treatment of Epilepsy in Resource‐Poor Countries

Adjei¹

2015

The Treatment of Epilepsy

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Beliefs on epilepsy in Northern Ghana

Cited by 28 publications

References 31 publications

Community perceptions of epilepsy and its treatment in an onchocerciasis endemic region in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo

Community perceptions of epilepsy and its treatment in an onchocerciasis endemic region in Ituri, Democratic Republic of Congo

Psychosocial challenges affecting the quality of life in adults with epilepsy and their carers in Africa: A review of published evidence between 1994 and 2014

Medical Treatment of Epilepsy in Resource‐Poor Countries

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