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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Stigma and psychiatric morbidity among mothers of children with epilepsy in Zambia
International Health, Volume 5, No. 4, Article iht028, Year 2013
Notification
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Description
Background: Epilepsy-associated stigma contributes substantially to the social, medical, and economic burden of disease for people with epilepsy (PWE), but little is known about its impact on caregivers of PWE. Methods: To better understand stigma experienced by caregivers of PWE, factors that influence caregiver stigma, and the effect of stigma on a caregiver's psychologic well being, we interviewed 100 caregivers of children with epilepsy in Zambia. Questions assessed maternal knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to epilepsy, maternal stigma, mother's proxy report of child stigma, and maternal psychiatric morbidity. Results: Of 100 mothers, 39 (39%) indicated that their child was stigmatized because of his or her epilepsy. Maternal proxy report of child stigma was highly correlated with maternal stigma (OR: 5.4, p=0.04), seizure frequency (p=0.03) and seizure severity (p=0.01). One in five of 100 mothers (20%) reported feeling stigmatized because of their child's epilepsy. Higher maternal stigma was associated with lower familial and community support (ORs: 65.2 and 34.7, respectively; both p<0.0001) as well as higher psychiatric morbidity (OR: 1.2; p=0.002). Formal education and epilepsy knowledge were associated with decreased maternal stigma (ORs: 0.8 and 0.7, respectively; both p<0.001). Conclusions: One in five mothers of PWE feel stigmatized because of their child's epilepsy. As maternal stigma is associated with psychiatric morbidity, educating caregivers about epilepsy and screening for anxiety and depression are warranted. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved.
Authors & Co-Authors
Elafros, Melissa A.
United States, East Lansing
Michigan State University
United States, Grand Rapids
Msu College of Human Medicine
Sakubita-Simasiku, Claire
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia
Atadzhanov, Masharip
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia
Haworth, Alan
Zambia, Lusaka
University of Zambia
Chomba, Elwyn Nachanya
Zambia, Lusaka
Ministry of Community Development
Birbeck, Gretchen Lano
Zambia, Mazabuka
Chikankata Hospital
United States, Rochester
University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry
Statistics
Citations: 41
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 6
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1093/inthealth/iht028
ISSN:
18763413
e-ISSN:
18763405
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Maternal And Child Health
Mental Health
Study Locations
Zambia