Stigma scale of epilepsy: the perception of epilepsy stigma in different cities in Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the perception of epilepsy stigma in different regions of Brazil.


METHODS
The Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE) questionnaire was applied to people in different Brazilian urban settings. The survey was performed on individual basis; an interviewer read the questions to the subjects and wrote down the answers. The same procedure was applied to all the subjects and took around 10 minutes.


RESULTS
266 questionnaires were completed in four different towns of Brazil (Curitiba=83; São Paulo=47; Vila Velha=79; Ipatinga=57). The overall stigma score was 49.7 (median). Different scores were obtained in each locality. Vila Velha=42; Curitiba=49; São Paulo=52; Ipatinga=54 (ANOVA [2.262]=3.82; p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed differences in the perception of stigma, which may depend on cultural and regional aspects. The concept of stigma has cultural perspectives, depending on the region and the context where each person lives. The understanding of this aspect of epilepsy is important to promote better de-stigmatization campaigns, considering the cultural and social differences.
Fernandes
Paula T
PT
Departament of Neurology, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil. paula@aspebrasil.org
Noronha
Ana Lúcia A
AL
Sander
Josemir W
JW
Li
Li M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001938:Brazil; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003710:Demography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult