Beliefs of people living with epilepsy in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana

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.