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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Peer support groups as an intervention to decrease epilepsy-associated stigma
Epilepsy and Behavior, Volume 27, No. 1, Year 2013
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Description
Eighty percent of people with epilepsy (PWE) reside in low-income countries where stigma contributes substantially to social and medical morbidity. Peer support groups (PSGs) are thought to be beneficial for people with stigmatized conditions, but little data exist regarding PSG effectiveness. We facilitated monthly PSG meetings for men, women, and youth from three Zambian clinics for one year. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured internalized stigma, psychiatric morbidity, medication adherence, socioeconomic status, and community disclosure. Of 103 participants (39 men, 30 women, and 34 youth), 80 PWE (78%) attended ≥. 6 meetings. There were no significant demographic differences between PWE who attended ≥. 6 meetings and those who attended <. 6 meetings. Among youth attending ≥. 6 meetings, internalized stigma decreased (p. <. 0.02). Among adults, there was a non-significant stigma decrease. No differences were detected in medication use, medication adherence, or psychiatric morbidity. Peer support groups effectively reduce stigma for youth and may offer a low-cost approach to addressing epilepsy-associated stigma in resource-poor settings. © 2013 Elsevier Inc..
Authors & Co-Authors
Elafros, Melissa A.
United States, East Lansing
Michigan State University
United States, Grand Rapids
Msu College of Human Medicine
Mulenga, Julius
Zambia, Lusaka
Epilepsy-associated Stigma in Zambia Study Team
Mbewe, Edward K.
Zambia, Lusaka
Chainama College of Health Sciences
South Africa, Durban
College of Health Sciences
Haworth, Alan
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia School of Medicine
Chomba, Elwyn Nachanya
Zambia, Lusaka
Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health
Atadzhanov, Masharip
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia
Birbeck, Gretchen Lano
United States, East Lansing
Michigan State University
Zambia, Mazabuka
Chikankata Hospital
Statistics
Citations: 68
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 9
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.01.005
e-ISSN:
15255069
Research Areas
Mental Health
Study Design
Randomised Control Trial
Participants Gender
Male
Female