Knowledge, attitudes and practice of epilepsy: experience at a comprehensive rural health services project

Beliefs regarding cause and preference of the treatment modality are important factors influencing any epilepsy programme. Patients own attitudes towards the on-going treatment are equally important in ensuring success of any such programme. The study involved interviews of 80 patients with epilepsy attending a comprehensive rural health services project, and was conducted according to a structured questionnaire. The majority of the patients were well informed regarding the cause of epilepsy, but more than half had tried alternative treatment methods. Many patients had misconceptions regarding the goal of the treatment and the consequences of missing a prescribed drug dose. Surprisingly few patients avoided taking medicines on days of religious fast. It was also noted that most patients depended on free medical supplies from the clinic dispensary, and a small number of patients would stop the medicines if these were not given free of cost. We stress the need to understand patients' concepts about the cause and the treatment of epilepsy, the need to educate them and their families regarding principles of modern medical treatment of epilepsy and most importantly, the need to maintain a regular, uninterrupted supply of free medicines, to improve the effectiveness of similar epilepsy management programmes in the setting of rural India and other developing countries.