Abstract:
Purpose: The study aimed at describing the beliefs that People Living with Epilepsy (PLWE) have about the
disease.
Methods: A descriptive-exploratory qualitative design was employed to guide the study. Thirteen (13) participants
living with epilepsy in the Accra Metropolis were purposively sampled. Face-to-face in-depth interviews
were conducted and data were analysed using the content analysis approach.
Results: The themes that emerged from the data were beliefs about signs and symptoms, causes, consequences
and beliefs about cure and control of epilepsy. Participants believed epilepsy was a disgraceful illness. Most
participants believed epilepsy was due to spiritual causes. Seizures resulted in injuries and were believed to have
affected the education, work and relationships of the PLWE.
Conclusion: The results suggest that the false beliefs about the causes of epilepsy were an indication of knowledge
gap on the causes of epilepsy among the PLWE. Health care professionals should intensify health education
campaigns on epilepsy to demystify traditional beliefs about epilepsy and promote greater understanding and
acceptance of PLWE.
