title: Knowledge of epilepsy in the general population based on two French cities: implications for stigma.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of people living in two French counties. The data were collected from 1777 adults in the general population who were interviewed. Knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy in these French samples proved largely favorable: 90.6% identified epilepsy as different from a mental disorder or lunacy, and 79.2% correctly identified epilepsy as a brain disorder. The majority agreed with the statements that people with epilepsy should have the opportunity to get married and that children with epilepsy should be allowed to go to school with others. However, gaps in knowledge and erroneous beliefs prevailed, notably among men, old people, and individuals with low levels of education. This study yielded encouraging results. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings and gain a better understanding of the contribution of French public knowledge to the causative factors generating stigma in France.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Neurologie Tropicale, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Florentina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rafael
authors.forename: Catherine-Marie
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dubreuil
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burbaud
authors.forename: Duc Si
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: Pierre-Marie
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Preux
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nubukpo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology*; D002947:Cities / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D012737:Sex Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult