Mark Kaddumukasa1, Angelina Kakooza2, James Kayima3, Martin N Kaddumukasa4, Edward Ddumba5, Levi Mugenyi6, Anthony Furlan7, Samden Lhatoo8, Martha Sajatovic9, Elly Katabira10. 1. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: kaddumark@yahoo.co.uk. 2. Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: Angelina-Kakooza@yahoo.co.uk. 3. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: jkkayima@gmail.com. 4. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: kaddumart@yahoo.com. 5. Department of Medicine, St. Raphael of St. Francis Nsambya Hospital, Nkozi University, P.O. Box 7146, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: ddumbaentamuezala@gmail.com. 6. Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Mulago Hill Road, MUJHU3 Building, P.O. Box 7475, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: lmugenyi005@gmail.com. 7. University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Neurological Institute Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Electronic address: Anthony.Furlan@UHhospitals.org. 8. University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Neurological Institute Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Electronic address: Samden.Lhatoo@UHhospitals.org. 9. Neurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Electronic address: Martha.Sajatovic@UHhospitals.org. 10. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda. Electronic address: katabira@imul.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The lack of adequate knowledge poses a barrier in the provision of appropriate treatment and care of patients with epilepsy within the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards epilepsy and its treatment by community dwellers in Uganda. METHODS: A cross sectional population survey was conducted in urban and rural Mukono district, central Uganda. Adult respondents through multistage stratified sampling were interviewed about selected aspects of epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, and perception using a pretested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of the study respondents had heard or read about epilepsy or knew someone who had epilepsy and had seen someone having a seizure. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents did not know the cause of epilepsy, while 29% cited genetic causes. About seventeen percent of the subjects believed that epilepsy is contagious. Only 5.6% (21/377) of the respondents would take a patient with epilepsy to hospital for treatment. CONCLUSION: Adults in Mukono are very acquainted with epilepsy but have many erroneous beliefs about the condition. Negative attitudes are pervasive within communities in Uganda. The national epilepsy awareness programs need to clarify the purported modes of transmission of epilepsy, available treatment options, and care offered during epileptic seizures during community sensitizations in our settings.
INTRODUCTION: The lack of adequate knowledge poses a barrier in the provision of appropriate treatment and care of patients with epilepsy within the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards epilepsy and its treatment by community dwellers in Uganda. METHODS: A cross sectional population survey was conducted in urban and rural Mukono district, central Uganda. Adult respondents through multistage stratified sampling were interviewed about selected aspects of epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, and perception using a pretested structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of the study respondents had heard or read about epilepsy or knew someone who had epilepsy and had seen someone having a seizure. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents did not know the cause of epilepsy, while 29% cited genetic causes. About seventeen percent of the subjects believed that epilepsy is contagious. Only 5.6% (21/377) of the respondents would take a patient with epilepsy to hospital for treatment. CONCLUSION: Adults in Mukono are very acquainted with epilepsy but have many erroneous beliefs about the condition. Negative attitudes are pervasive within communities in Uganda. The national epilepsy awareness programs need to clarify the purported modes of transmission of epilepsy, available treatment options, and care offered during epilepticseizures during community sensitizations in our settings.
Authors: N F Ndoye; A D Sow; A G Diop; B Sessouma; F Séne-Diouf; L Boissy; Issa Wone; K Touré; M Ndiaye; P Ndiaye; H de Boer; J Engel; C Mandlhate; H Meinardi; L Prilipko; J W A S Sander Journal: Seizure Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 3.184
Authors: Sarah O'Neill; Julia Irani; Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo; Denis Nono; Catherine Abbo; Yasuaki Sato; Augustine Mugarura; Housseini Dolo; Maya Ronse; Alfred K Njamnshi; Robert Colebunders Journal: Infect Dis Poverty Date: 2019-05-20 Impact factor: 4.520
Authors: Ronald Anguzu; Pamela Akun; Thomas Katairo; Catherine Abbo; Albert Ningwa; Rodney Ogwang; Amos Deogratius Mwaka; Kevin Marsh; Charles R Newton; Richard Idro Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2020-11-25 Impact factor: 3.337