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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Current beliefs and attitudes regarding epilepsy in Mali
Epilepsy and Behavior, Volume 33, Year 2014
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Description
Purpose: In Mali, epilepsy affects 15 individuals per thousand. Perceptions and attitudes have not seemingly evolved with advancing medical knowledge. The objective of this study was to assess parental beliefs and attitudes in families with and without affected children. Methods: We enrolled 720 pediatric patients, half of whom had epilepsy, at Mali's largest hospital. We conducted semistructured interviews with the accompanying parent. Control families with unaffected patients and also had affected children were excluded. Results: In total, 67% and 24% of families with and without epilepsy, respectively, lived in rural environments. Interviewees were mostly mothers in their 30s; 80% had not completed high school. About 22% of parents without an affected child had witnessed a seizure. During a seizure, 94% of parents with an affected child and 49% of parents without an affected child, respectively, would intervene; 7.5% and 21%, respectively, would wet the patient's face with cool water. Although parents with an affected child had more intimate knowledge of seizures, misconceptions prevailed, perhaps more so than in families without epilepsy: 79% and 66% of parents, respectively, considered epilepsy contagious; 43% vs. 69% thought that it inevitably led to psychosis; and 53% vs. 29% attributed epilepsy to supernatural causes. Finally, 63% of parents with an affected child reported consulting a traditional healer as first-line management for epilepsy. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates widespread misconceptions in Mali regarding epilepsy. Our findings argue for more education initiatives focused on the entire population, including traditional healers, to provide knowledge, reduce stigma, and improve quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy. © 2014.
Authors & Co-Authors
Maïga, Youssoufa M.
Mali, Bamako
Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital
Albakaye, Mohamed
Mali, Bamako
Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital
Morocco, Marakech
Ibn Tofail Hospital
Diallo, Lansana Laho
Guinea
Hôpital Moderne de L'amitié à Kipé
Traoré, Broulaye C.
Mali, Bamako
Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital
Cissoko, Yacouba
Mali, Gao
Hospital of Gao
Hassane, Seybou
Mali, Bamako
Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital
Diakité, Sara
Mali, Bamako
Gabriel Touré Teaching Hospital
Clare McCaughey, K.
Morocco, Marakech
Ibn Tofail Hospital
Kissani, N.
Morocco, Marakech
Ibn Tofail Hospital
Diaconu, Valeria
Canada, Montreal
Chu Sainte-justine - le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mère-enfant
Buch, Danielle
Canada, Montreal
Chu Sainte-justine - le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mère-enfant
Kayentoa, Kassim
Mali, Bamako
University of Bamako
Carmant, Lionel
Canada, Montreal
Chu Sainte-justine - le Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Mère-enfant
Statistics
Citations: 49
Authors: 13
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.02.031
e-ISSN:
15255069
Research Areas
Disability
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Mali