Abstracts

Social stigma is one of the unfortunate realities facing persons with epilepsy. Socio-cultural differences are key determinants of this process, and diligent effort is necessary to alleviate this aspect of suffering. However, periodic public surveys in the USA have shown that despite the unchanged level of public knowledge about epilepsy over time, public attitude has improved considerably. Targeted educational campaigns aimed at further improving public attitude towards epilepsy may be designed effectively based on current public knowledge and perception of epilepsy in a given community. This study was aimed at assessing, for the first time, public knowledge and perception of epilepsy in B[amp]H, and represents the first step towards instituting a public health awareness campaign. One thousand adults living in B[amp]H ([sim]4 mil.) were randomly selected according to region and size of community as part of a larger omnibus survey. The randomness was ensured in the three steps: a random choice of a community, random choice of initial points for [ldquo]random walk[rdquo], and using Troldahler-Carter method within a household. The participants were asked 12 questions about epilepsy by those trained in survey techniques. Standard statistical methods were used for data analysis. 91% of the respondents had either [ldquo]read[rdquo] or [ldquo]heard[rdquo] about epilepsy. Epilepsy was ranked the least severe among 8 diseases (schizophrenia, heart attack, AIDS, stroke, depression, peptic ulcer, lung cancer, and epilepsy). 41% knew someone with epilepsy, 32.5% had witnessed a seizure, and 33.1% did not know the main symptoms of epilepsy. The main symptoms were identified as foaming (29%), loss of consciousness (25%), fall (12.5%), convulsions (6.7%) and stiffening (5.9%). A moderate affective distance from epilepsy patients was expressed, as compared to a person with one of the other listed diseases, and, on average, interviewees were ready to accept a patient as a friend or coworker. Approximately 15% would object if their child played with a child with epilepsy, and 39% believed that a child with epilepsy could not succeed as a healthy child. According to this sample, the worst aspect of epilepsy is seizures (28.5%), followed by injuries (24.3%), fear of seizures (19.8%), and rejection by others (15.3%). While 55.9% would approach a seizing person and help, 25.9% would call [ldquo]911[rdquo] and 12.4% would [ldquo]just yell to get help[rdquo]. General awareness about epilepsy in B[amp]H appears somewhat lower than in more developed countries. Surprisingly, epilepsy was perceived as a less severe disease than peptic ulcer. The majority of the population would accept a coworker or friend with epilepsy, and would approach and help a seizing person. The detailed context, specific confounding factors for these outcomes, and the utility of the data as a strategic basis for a public health intervention campaign are discussed. (Supported by PULS agency (Zagreb, Croatia) performed this survey as a part of its public work.)