PURPOSE: Very little is known about the attitudes and behaviors of minorities with epilepsy. This pilot study explored access to health care, help-seeking behaviors, and adherence to treatment among African-American females with epilepsy. METHODS: Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 10 African-American female adults. RESULTS: Findings indicate four major obstacles to care: limited financial resources, lack of knowledge about epilepsy among African-Americans, poor patient-provider communication, and lack of social support. Social support impacted individuals seeking surgery, and also affected purchasing medication, adherence to medical treatment, and needed transportation. Lack of knowledge and misinformation about epilepsy in the African-American community and poor communication with physicians contribute to the social stigma felt by these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral epidemiology of epilepsy among African-Americans is lacking. This disease exacerbates health disparities for this population. These findings point to a need for a safe haven for these individuals.
PURPOSE: Very little is known about the attitudes and behaviors of minorities with epilepsy. This pilot study explored access to health care, help-seeking behaviors, and adherence to treatment among African-American females with epilepsy. METHODS: Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 10 African-American female adults. RESULTS: Findings indicate four major obstacles to care: limited financial resources, lack of knowledge about epilepsy among African-Americans, poor patient-provider communication, and lack of social support. Social support impacted individuals seeking surgery, and also affected purchasing medication, adherence to medical treatment, and needed transportation. Lack of knowledge and misinformation about epilepsy in the African-American community and poor communication with physicians contribute to the social stigma felt by these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral epidemiology of epilepsy among African-Americans is lacking. This disease exacerbates health disparities for this population. These findings point to a need for a safe haven for these individuals.
Authors: Dale C Hesdorffer; Vicki Beck; Charles E Begley; Malachy L Bishop; Sandra Cushner-Weinstein; Gregory L Holmes; Patricia O Shafer; Joseph I Sirven; Joan K Austin Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2013-01-07 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: Matthew C Davis; Brandon G Rocque; Ash Singhal; Thomas Ridder; Jogi V Pattisapu; James M Johnston Journal: J Neurosurg Pediatr Date: 2017-05-19 Impact factor: 2.375
Authors: Allison Willis; Lesli E Skolarus; Roland Faigle; Uma Menon; Hannah Redwine; Amanda M Brown; Elizabeth Felton; Adys Mendizabal; Avindra Nath; Frances Jensen; Justin C McArthur Journal: Ann Neurol Date: 2021-08-05 Impact factor: 11.274
Authors: Dana M Bakula; Katherine W Junger; Shanna M Guilfoyle; Constance A Mara; Avani C Modi Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2022-06-03 Impact factor: 6.740