Cause And Management Of Epilepsy In Nigeria

In a more recent study of 406 randomly selected teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the North Central part of Nigeria, about 30.5% believed that epilepsy could be contracted through the saliva of an epileptic patient, 27.7% thought it was synonymous with possession with evil spirit while 10% misunderstood epilepsy for insanity. The authors noted that a negative attitude and bias against epilepsy were still ingrained among teachers in Nigeria and concluded that the majority of people know little about the aetiology of epilepsy; they had myths, misconceptions and prejudice against epilepsy (27).
    A similar study in South Eastern Nigeria reported similar findings. Amongst the patients with epilepsy themselves, earlier studies by Danesi among adolescent and adult patients with epilepsy revealed that they felt feared by the lay public who avoided contact with them. Most epileptic patients however had positive views regarding epilepsy and favourable attitudes toward other epileptic patients. While many believed that epileptic patients were not disabled and had the same intelligence, ambition, and ability to be educated as non-epileptic persons, some of them still rated epileptic persons lower than non-epileptic persons with respect to contribution to society, hard work, temperament, and ability to make close friends.
    Stigma associated with epilepsy in some instances appears to be of greater hindrance than the side effect of the anti-epileptic medication. Also the opportunity for marriage and employment are substantially worse for people living with epilepsy and its impact on daily living has been shown to be destructive (28).