title: Social and cultural representation of Epilepsy in elderly aged 65 and more, during a community survey in two French Departments (Hautevienne and Creuse).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epilepsy is often associated with discrediting representations even in the developed countries. The prevalence of disease is 3-5 in thousand.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to assess social and cultural representation of epilepsy in the elderly in two French departments (Haute-Vienne and Creuse).
  
  
  METHODS
  An analysis of the answers given by 380 (190 in Haute-Vienne and 190 in Creuse) persons aged 65 and more, selected with the method of quota, during a face to face interview using a questionnaire which explores the representations of epilepsy. The interview was done in 2003 during the local step of an international multi centric community survey entitled "Mental disorders: Image and Realities in community sample".
  
  
  RESULTS
  Beliefs in supernatural causes of epilepsy, witchcraft, curse and punishment are more important in elderly aged 65 and more prevalent compared to the younger subjects; it's the opposite for social causes (conflicts, bereavements, stress). The alimentary interdictions are also persistent. Medical assistance keep a good place in the knowledge of the therapy of epilepsy. It showed that those aged 65 and more in Haute-Vienne had social and cultural representation of epilepsy, generally more pessimistic than those of the persons aged less than 65.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study confirmed a decrease in the stigma about epilepsy. This data suggest a better consideration of the social and cultural representations in the fight against epilepsy even in western countries.
authors.affiliation: Tropical Neuro epidemiology Institute, EA 3174, Medical School, 2, rue du Dr Marcland, 87025 Limoges;
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rafael
authors.affiliation: Tropical Neuro epidemiology Institute, EA 3174, Medical School, 2, rue du Dr Marcland, 87025 Limoges;
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubreuil
authors.affiliation: Tropical Neuro epidemiology Institute, EA 3174, Medical School, 2, rue du Dr Marcland, 87025 Limoges;
authors.forename: Jean A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Prado
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Observatory (ORS ), rue Donzelot, 87000 Limoges;
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Burbaud
authors.affiliation: Tropical Neuro epidemiology Institute, EA 3174, Medical School, 2, rue du Dr Marcland, 87025 Limoges; ; University Hospital; Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics. Department - Centre Hospitalier Esquirol, 15 rue du Dr Marcland - 87025 Limoges cedex, France.
authors.forename: Jp
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.affiliation: Regional Health Observatory (ORS ), rue Donzelot, 87000 Limoges; ; University Hospital; Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics. Department - Centre Hospitalier Esquirol, 15 rue du Dr Marcland - 87025 Limoges cedex, France.
authors.forename: Pm
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Preux
authors.affiliation: Tropical Neuro epidemiology Institute, EA 3174, Medical School, 2, rue du Dr Marcland, 87025 Limoges; ; University Hospital; Psychiatry and Psychogeriatrics. Department - Centre Hospitalier Esquirol, 15 rue du Dr Marcland - 87025 Limoges cedex, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nubukpo
keywords: Community survey; Elderly; Epilepsy; Social and cultural representation