TY - JOUR
T1 - Experiences and perspectives of stigmatization and discrimination against people with epilepsy in Accra, Ghana
AU - Dako-Gyeke, Mavis
AU - Donkor, Michael Donald
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2018/10
Y1 - 2018/10
N2 - A qualitative research approach was utilized to investigate experiences and perspectives of people with epilepsy (PWE) and key informants. Twenty participants (14 PWE and 6 key informants) were purposively selected as participants for the study and in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify emerging themes that addressed objectives of the study. The findings indicated that PWE and key informants included in this study perceived epilepsy as a spiritual, curable, and medical condition. Besides, it was found that for fear of being infected by epilepsy, some people stigmatized and discriminated against PWE. Additionally, the study provided evidence that PWE were stigmatized and discriminated against in employment and intimate relationships with the incidence of seizures being the major reason. Furthermore, the study revealed that PWE adopted various strategies (concealment, not responding to demeaning comments made by people, involvement in religious activities, and joining support groups) to manage stigma and discrimination. The findings suggest the need for public education about epilepsy in order to modify people's beliefs and views about the disease. Moreover, the provision of counseling services would help enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of PWE.
AB - A qualitative research approach was utilized to investigate experiences and perspectives of people with epilepsy (PWE) and key informants. Twenty participants (14 PWE and 6 key informants) were purposively selected as participants for the study and in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify emerging themes that addressed objectives of the study. The findings indicated that PWE and key informants included in this study perceived epilepsy as a spiritual, curable, and medical condition. Besides, it was found that for fear of being infected by epilepsy, some people stigmatized and discriminated against PWE. Additionally, the study provided evidence that PWE were stigmatized and discriminated against in employment and intimate relationships with the incidence of seizures being the major reason. Furthermore, the study revealed that PWE adopted various strategies (concealment, not responding to demeaning comments made by people, involvement in religious activities, and joining support groups) to manage stigma and discrimination. The findings suggest the need for public education about epilepsy in order to modify people's beliefs and views about the disease. Moreover, the provision of counseling services would help enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of PWE.
KW - Discrimination
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Ghana
KW - Qualitative Research
KW - Stigmatization
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85051630753&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.07.025
DO - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.07.025
M3 - Article
C2 - 30126758
AN - SCOPUS:85051630753
SN - 1525-5050
VL - 87
SP - 101
EP - 107
JO - Epilepsy and Behavior
JF - Epilepsy and Behavior
ER -