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Published on: September 20, 2024
Myths and fallacies about epilepsy among residents of a Karachi slum area
Majid Shafiq1, Mansoor Tanwir, Asma Tariq
1Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan. majid.shafiq@aku.edu
Abstract:
Misconceptions about epilepsy may explain the considerable stigma accompanying it. We aimed to identify such fallacies through questionnaire-based interviews of 487 adult residents of a slum area in Karachi, Pakistan. Of those interviewed, 25% believed that epilepsy was caused by evil spirits, black magic and envy by others - those without a school education were more likely to hold these views (P < 0.05). Perceived complications included impotence and cancer. Shoe-sniffing was considered a treatment modality by 13%. It appears that misconceptions abound regarding epilepsy's causes, complications and methods of treatment. However, those who had received a school education were less likely to link epilepsy with supernatural phenomena.
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