title: Perceived stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy at Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional institution based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epilepsy is the world's most common neurological disorder, affecting approximately 69 million people worldwide. Perceived stigma affects many domains of the lives of people with epilepsy. However, in Ethiopia there is dearth of study on perceived stigma specifically among people with epilepsy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the prevalence of perceived stigma and associated factors among people with epilepsy (PWE) attending the outpatient department of the University of Gondar hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Institution based quantitative cross - sectional study was employed among 408 individuals people with epilepsy. Single population proportion formula was used utilized to calculate sample size. The participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Perceived stigma was measured using by the modified Family Interview Schedule (FIS) tool. Binary logistic regression analysis and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to identify the associated factors with perceived stigma..
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the prevalence of perceived stigma was found to be 71.6%. Marital status [single (AOR = 0.23, CI: 0.25, 0.90), widowed ( AOR = 0.37, CI: 0.15, 0.90) duration of illness [2-5 years (AOR = 4.38, CI:1.98,9.62, 6-10 years (AOR =4.29, CI:1.90,9.64, ≥11 years (AOR = 4.31,CI:1.84,10.00) and seizure frequency of [1-11per year (AOR=2.34, CI:2.21,3.56), ≥1per month (AOR = 5.63, CI:3.42,10.32)] were factors associated with perceived stigma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, the prevalence of perceived stigma was found to be high. Marital status, long duration of illness and seizure frequency were factors associated with perceived stigma.
authors.affiliation: University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Nursing, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Berhanu Boru
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Bifftu
authors.affiliation: University of Gondar, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Berihun Assefa
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Dachew
authors.affiliation: University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Science, Department of Nursing, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Bewket Tadesse
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Tiruneh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010465:Perception; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Northwest Ethiopia; epilepsy; perceived stigma