title: Myths and fallacies about epilepsy among residents of a Karachi slum area.
abstract: Misconceptions about epilepsy may explain the considerable stigma accompanying it. We aimed to identify such fallacies through questionnaire-based interviews of 487 adult residents of a slum area in Karachi, Pakistan. Of those interviewed, 25% believed that epilepsy was caused by evil spirits, black magic and envy by others - those without a school education were more likely to hold these views (P < 0.05). Perceived complications included impotence and cancer. Shoe-sniffing was considered a treatment modality by 13%. It appears that misconceptions abound regarding epilepsy's causes, complications and methods of treatment. However, those who had received a school education were less likely to link epilepsy with supernatural phenomena.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. majid.shafiq@aku.edu
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shafiq
authors.forename: Mansoor
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanwir
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tariq
authors.forename: Ayesha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saleem
authors.forename: Monaa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.forename: Ali Khan
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Khuwaja
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D004827:Epilepsy; D005260:Female; D005495:Folklore; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D011204:Poverty Areas