Sociocultural and psychological features of perceived stigma reported by people with epilepsy in Benin.
OBJECTIVE
Stigma is a major burden of epilepsy. In sub-Saharan Africa the few studies that addressed epilepsy stigma emphasize enacted, rather than perceived, stigma. This inattention may compromise clinical management and delay help seeking, thereby contributing to the treatment gap. We assessed perceived stigma and identified sociocultural and psychological factors explaining greater stigma among people with epilepsy (PWE) in Benin.


METHODS
PWE included in this study were ascertained using a door-to-door survey in the general population in a Beninese rural area. We applied both qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess stigma and patient's experience and beliefs. An Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC) and verbally administered questionnaires provided data for demographic, clinical, and sociocultural features. Sociocultural features were evaluated in terms of illness-related experience and sociocultural representations of epilepsy. Depression and anxiety were also screened.


RESULTS
Eighty PWE were included. About 68.7% reported feeling stigmatized. Multivariate regression revealed that factors independently associated with perceived stigma were experience of social isolation (p < 0.001), experience of marital problems (p < 0.01), and presence of anxiety disorder (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived stigma is an important issue in epilepsy in Benin. Social factors seem to be more influential than sociocultural representation of epilepsy. Insofar as research is needed in other African countries to determine the nature and relevant features of stigma to improve treatment and control.
Université de Limoges, IFR 145 GEIST, Institut de Neurologie Tropicale, EA 3174 NeuroEpidémiologie Tropicale et Comparée, Limoges, France.
Florentina
F
Rafael
Dismand
D
Houinato
Philippe
P
Nubukpo
Catherine-Marie
CM
Dubreuil
Duc Si
DS
Tran
Peter
P
Odermatt
Jean-Pierre
JP
Clément
Mitchell G
MG
Weiss
Pierre-Marie
PM
Preux
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001541:Benin / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D003625:Data Collection; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012931:Social Environment; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult