Knowledge and beliefs about epilepsy among people with and without epilepsy in urban Suriname.
Reducing the burden of epilepsy in low- and middle-income countries requires understanding of the cultural aspects of epilepsy. This cross-sectional study among individuals attending a clinic in an urban setting in Paramaribo, Suriname aimed to obtain information on the knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy and epilepsy treatment, comparing people with epilepsy (PWE) to those without epilepsy. This study also explored the help-seeking behavior and experience of having epilepsy in PWE. While the results of interviews with 49 PWE and 33 controls compared favorably to studies conducted in similar countries, a significant minority of PWE still rely on traditional remedies. Prejudices regarding social roles, schooling, and occupational choices of PWE also remain prevalent. Currently, the major source of information for both groups is the media, but there could be opportunities for the local epilepsy association to play a larger role. These findings, despite some selection bias, could be useful in bringing conventional medical treatment strategies to more PWE in Suriname, as well as empower patient organizations in designing stigma-reducing interventions.
Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands; Biomedical MR Imaging and Spectroscopy Group, Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosciences & Mental Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, United Kingdom.
Willem M
WM
Otte
Eva
E
Meeuwesse
Erik
E
Kafiluddin
Saskia M
SM
Peerdeman
Johannes C
JC
Baaijen
Josemir W
JW
Sander
Pieter
P
van Eijsden
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003469:Culture; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013532:Suriname / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
Local perceptions; Paramaribo; Recurrent seizures; Social beliefs; South America; Stigma; Tolerance; Traditional remedies