title: Perceptions about intellectual disability: a qualitative study from Vellore, South India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cultural and religious beliefs influence perceptions about health and illness. Data, from India, on perceptions about intellectual disability are scant. This study explored people's cultural beliefs and attitudes about intellectual disability, perceived needs and burden associated with care in Vellore, south India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative methodology using focus groups was employed. Eight focus groups were conducted in three settings and included the mothers of children and adolescents with intellectual disability (four groups, n = 29), community health workers (two groups, n = 17) and schoolteachers (two groups, n = 16).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results suggest that cultural and religious beliefs perpetuated negative attitudes towards disability. This meant that caregivers bore a high burden of care with little support from family or society. The study confirmed the presence of diverse, multiple and contradictory models of disability drawing from biomedical and local religious, social and cultural constructs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Public awareness, education and community-level interventions for reducing the misconceptions and stigma related to intellectual disability are needed in addition to culturally sensitive treatment methods to improve the attitude towards and management of intellectual disability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. sushila.russell@cmcvellore.ac.in
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edwardraj
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mumtaj
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuruvilla
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jacob
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult