Stigma and safe havens: a medical sociological perspective on African-American female epilepsy patients.
OBJECTIVE
Very little is known about the attitudes and behaviors of minorities with epilepsy. This pilot study explored access to health care, help-seeking behaviors, and adherence to treatment among African-American females with epilepsy.


METHODS
Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 10 African-American female adults.


RESULTS
Findings indicate four major obstacles to care: limited financial resources, lack of knowledge about epilepsy among African-Americans, poor patient-provider communication, and lack of social support. Social support impacted individuals seeking surgery, and also affected purchasing medication, adherence to medical treatment, and needed transportation. Lack of knowledge and misinformation about epilepsy in the African-American community and poor communication with physicians contribute to the social stigma felt by these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The behavioral epidemiology of epilepsy among African-Americans is lacking. This disease exacerbates health disparities for this population. These findings point to a need for a safe haven for these individuals.
Paschal
Angelia M
AM
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA. apaschal@kumc.edu
Ablah
Elizabeth
E
Wetta-Hall
Ruth
R
Molgaard
Craig A
CA
Liow
Kore
K
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012944:Social Support