Societal problems that patients with epilepsy are facing in Sharjah, UAE

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the knowledge and gauge the level of understanding and attitudes of the public towards patients with epilepsy in Sharjah, UAE. A questionnaire-based survey was used, and a total of 400 surveys were distributed in several parts of the city. Among 388 (97%) returned surveys, 94.3% reported that they had heard about epilepsy, and 62.9% believed that epilepsy is a curable disease. More than half of the respondents believed that epilepsy is not a mental illness, and 61.1% respondents that epilepsy is a nervous system disorder. Interestingly, almost 4% of the sample believed that epilepsy is either a supernatural power or an evil spirit. Despite the fact that more than 80% of the respondents accepted that people with epilepsy can become useful members of society and can receive academic education, almost half of the sample reported that society discriminates against people with epilepsy, and 14% of respondents still think that people with epilepsy should be isolated from the healthy population. Furthermore, when respondents were asked if they will allow their son or daughter to marry a girl or boy with epilepsy, 213 (82.5%) and 217 (81.4%) of the respondents reported either "No" or "Don't know", respectively. Negative attitudes and inadequate knowledge among the public in Sharjah, UAE likely contribute to the stigma and discrimination faced by those with epilepsy in this region. Educational programs are urgently needed to increase awareness and to improve knowledge and attitudes among the public.