title: Knowledge, attitudes, and stigma towards epilepsy in different walks of life: a study in Georgia.
abstract: We conducted a survey to assess public awareness of epilepsy and stigma expression in different social groups in Tbilisi, Georgia. Respondents were divided into those from a medical or paramedical background, those with a nonmedical professional background, and a group with unskilled workers or unemployed individuals. One thousand and sixteen people completed a Knowledge, Attitude and Perception questionnaire. Medical and paramedical professionals had a better general knowledge about epilepsy, its possible causes, and its nature, but their views on treatment and attitudes towards epilepsy were the same or worse when compared to the other groups. Of the respondent, 14% would not let their children play with people with epilepsy, and 75% would not allow their children to marry a person with epilepsy. Nearly a third of teachers considered epilepsy a psychiatric disorder. This suggests a high degree of stigma towards epilepsy in Georgia. Increasing awareness is crucial to ameliorate this.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology and Neuropsychology, 51 Iv. Javakhishvili St, Tbilisi, Georgia.
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gzirishvili
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasradze
authors.forename: Giorgi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lomidze
authors.forename: Natela
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okujava
authors.forename: Otar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Toidze
authors.forename: Hanneke M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: de Boer
authors.forename: Josemir W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic) / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D057545:Social Stigma; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires