Myths and fallacies about epilepsy among residents of a Karachi slum area

Misconceptions about epilepsy may explain the considerable stigma accompanying it. We aimed to identify such fallacies through questionnaire-based interviews of 487 adult residents of a slum area in Karachi, Pakistan. Of those interviewed, 25% believed that epilepsy was caused by evil spirits, black...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Tropical doctor 2008-01, Vol.38 (1), p.32-33
Main Authors: Shafiq, Majid, Tanwir, Mansoor, Tariq, Asma, Saleem, Ayesha, Zafar, Monaa, Khuwaja, Ali Khan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Educational Status
Epilepsy
Female
Folklore
Headache. Facial pains. Syncopes. Epilepsia. Intracranial hypertension. Brain oedema. Cerebral palsy
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes)
Neurology
Pakistan
Poverty Areas
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Summary:Misconceptions about epilepsy may explain the considerable stigma accompanying it. We aimed to identify such fallacies through questionnaire-based interviews of 487 adult residents of a slum area in Karachi, Pakistan. Of those interviewed, 25% believed that epilepsy was caused by evil spirits, black magic and envy by others – those without a school education were more likely to hold these views (P < 0.05). Perceived complications included impotence and cancer. Shoe-sniffing was considered a treatment modality by 13%. It appears that misconceptions abound regarding epilepsy's causes, complications and methods of treatment. However, those who had received a school education were less likely to link epilepsy with supernatural phenomena.
ISSN:0049-4755
1758-1133
DOI:10.1258/td.2006.006311