Epilepsy is one of the chronic neurological disorders that have been an increasing burden to the developing countries. About 50million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy and approximately 90% of them are living in developing countries. According to WHO, 6 to 8million people with epilepsy and 3 to 4million (assuming a national average treatment gap of 50%) remain untreated. In a poor resource country like Pakistan, epilepsy remains as a public health challenge. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices for epilepsy and to identify needs of epileptic patients for management of epilepsy. A cross-sectional study is conducted in Karachi, Pakistan. Data is collected from the epileptic patients coming to the public health hospitals of Karachi for treatment and analyzed through SPSS version 17.0. A total 150 individuals were interviewed including 47% males and 53% females. Majority of them were under 20–29 age groups. The knowledge regarding epilepsy causation was minimal, 49.3% respondents considered it as a curable disease while 40% respondents considered it as a contagious disease. Loss of Consciousness (85%), Urine Incontinence (70%), Salivation and Drooling (67%) were reported to be the major presentations of epilepsy. The most common therapies used in the treatment of epilepsy, included faith healers (80%), ayurvedic medications (57%) and homeopathy (10%) along with Modern drugs (63%). Poor socio-economic conditions, lack of education, religious concepts and non-compliance from patient as well as from physicians were the main causes of treatment gaps. Awareness programs should focus on the acceptance of epileptic patients in the community not only to improve the quality of life of epileptic patients but also their families and for reducing stigmatization of epileptic patients. The main success factor for treatment of epilepsy lies in awareness and efficient and effective utilization of resources for epilepsy management.

Keywords: epilepsy, knowledge, management, socio demographics, practices, Pakistan

ETG, epilepsy treatment gap; ILAE, international league against epilepsy; IBE, international bureau for epilepsy; WHO, world health organization; CAM, complementary and alternative medicine

Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. It is also called a seizure disorder. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy. Seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally, which may briefly alter a person’s consciousness, movements or actions. Even with medications and other treatments, many people continue to have seizures, which severely limit their school achievements, employment prospects and participation in all walks of life.¹

Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder, affecting approximately 50million people worldwide, out of them 40million are estimated to live in developing countries.² Worldwide prevalence rate of epilepsy varies from 2.8 to 19.5 per 1000 of the general population and is more prevalent among children. The reported prevalence of active epilepsy in developing countries ranges from 5 to 10 per 1000 people.³ The prevalence are high due lack of resources as well as awareness leading to Epilepsy treatment Gap (ETG). The ETG is defined as the difference between the number of people with active epilepsy (who may benefit from treatment) and the number whose seizures are being appropriately treated. International health agencies such as International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and World Health Organization (WHO) are important organizations that are focusing on the treatment and awareness of epilepsy in the general population.⁴

Religious beliefs, limited resources, lack of education, non availability and limited treatment, duration and cost of treatments, adjunctive therapies, suboptimal dose and side effects are the main challenges for not seeking and getting epilepsy treated properly.⁵ Psychological perceptions, superstitious beliefs are also one of the biggest challenges in managing epilepsy. Especially in Asian countries there is a need to create awareness regarding epilepsy as well as its management through effective programs to decrease the burden of disease and to improve the quality of life of patients. Patients suffering from chronic diseases like epilepsy often use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), peers, hakims etc. as first-line treatment because of myths, superstitions and stigma attached to the disease.⁶

There are different treatments available for epilepsy. One study shows that Vitamin D has a very important role in management of epilepsy and in seizure control. 13 patients having pharmaco-resistant epilepsy had their vitamin D (25-hydroxy vitamin D3) status determined. After 90 days treatment with vitamin D3supplementation there was significant seizure freedom rate of 40%.⁷ Psychological treatment can also help in reducing seizures frequency at night but depends on the associated occurrence of morning seizures as well as on the identification, types and number of seizure favoring factors, the type and duration of initial symptoms, the behavioral state at seizure onset, the type of epilepsy and the level of intelligence according to a study.⁸ Besides medication and psychological treatment other preventive measures are also essential since epilepsy hampers quality of life of patient and disturbs the whole family on a continuous basis.⁹

A study was conducted by university of North Carolina on 31 parents of epileptic patients regarding seizure history, frequency, type, medical services etc. The results showed that parents of epileptic patients or their family’s needs support from the medical services or health organizations in terms of supportive programs and awareness campaigns.¹⁰ The objectives of this research study were to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of people with epilepsy and identify perceived needs of epileptic patients for management of epilepsy.

A cross sectional study was conducted in March 2013 in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 150 people with epilepsy aged 18 years and above were interviewed face to face with the help of a standardized questionnaire. The interviewers read the questions to the study participants and recorded responses on an answering sheet. Socio-demographic information i.e. age, gender, education and occupational status were collected along with knowledge, attitude and practices regarding epilepsy. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0 for Windows. Descriptive methods were mainly used to summarize the data.

Informed consent was sought from all participants of the study. The participants had the right to leave the study anytime or not to answer any of the study questions. Data were kept anonymous by assigning identification numbers to the participants.

A total number of 150 respondents were interviewed out of which 71 were males and 79 were females (Table 1). The age of the participants ranged from 20 to 60 years with median ranging between 20 to 29 years. 83%participants had completed secondary schooling followed by 17% study participants who had only primary education. 54% were employed and 46% were unemployed. The reason of the high unemployment rate was reported to be discrimination for epileptic patients. Almost 34% were working in private companies, 19% were self-employed and 19 %had government jobs. 28% didn’t respond to the question. Based on the income level of respondents, 25% were earning between PKR 20,000 to 29,999 and only 15 % were making PKR 40,000 or more. It is important to note that 9%were in the lowest income group and had difficulty getting treatment and making ends meet. Regarding marital status 46% were married, out of which 24% were first degree relative.

51% of the respondents had never heard about epilepsy before it had been diagnosed. This shows the lack of awareness regarding epilepsy in Pakistan. On further probing regarding knowledge about epilepsy, 56%reported epilepsy as a hereditary disorder while 43% responded that it is a brain disorder. 60% believed that the disease is caused by supernatural powers, followed by 55% respondents, who considered epilepsy is the results of sins of their patients/ancestors. 39% reflected epilepsy as contagious diseases whereas 26% agreed that it was caused due to blood transfusion and only 49% currently identified that epilepsy is a curable disease (Table 2).

Moreover, 52% study participants agreed that epileptic child should play games. 59% respondents believed that people with epilepsy have a right for employment whereas 40% disagreed for an equal right of employment which clearly shows that people with epilepsy are not accepted in the society and they are discriminated by the society. About 47% of the respondents reported that people with epilepsy have less chances of getting marriage whereas 38% of the respondents didn’t agree that people with epilepsy should have children.

Regarding triggering factors, symptoms and treatment of epilepsy, the knowledge of respondents was very limited (Table 3). Major triggering factor for epilepsy reported were emotional disturbances (66%), fever (58%), flickering light (54%) and 43% by hunger and food items. Majority of the participants (85%) reported that the most common presentation of an epileptic patient is loss of consciousness due to which patient falls and bites his tongue. Other symptoms of epilepsy stated were tongue biting (81%), urine incontinence (70%) and salivation and drooling (67%).

Treatment options for epilepsy included mainly faith healers (80%), modern drugs (63%) and ayurvedic drugs (57%). Though majority of the participants had completed secondary school, the belief system on faith healers is stronger than medications. Almost all of them (95%) were consulting a faith healer for the epilepsy treatment. Regarding the use of branded names for the epilepsy treatment, participants were least concerned about branding and branded products for the treatment of epilepsy. The practices queries regarding management of epilepsy show huge gaps (Table 4). In case of an epileptic fit 71 % reported smelling of a shoe. This is stated to be the most frequent and traditional practice. Other common practices were putting keys in hands (50%) while 27 % mentioned some other practices followed by their relatives, which included calling a faith healer. Only half of the participants mentioned going to the hospital in case of an epileptic fit.

While answering about discrimination, almost 60% study participants informed being discriminated by schoolmates (59.3%), teachers (48%), family (44.7%), colleagues (54%) and community (50.7%) by mentioning less social participation and considering themselves as an easy target for humiliation due to epilepsy. When asked whether they will allow their ‘normal’ children (not suffering from epilepsy) to play with other children having epilepsy 47% responded negatively. Similarly, 56% respondents did not agree to disclose about epilepsy before their daughter and son’s marriage. These findings are clearly associated with the taboos associated with epilepsy in Pakistan.

The stigmata of epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the chronic neurological disorders that affect people of all ages. Epilepsy accounts for 0.5% of the global burden of disease, a time-based measure that combines years of life lost due to premature mortality and time lived in states of less than full health.¹¹ Around 50million people worldwide have epilepsy and approximately 90% of them live in developing countries. While epilepsy is an increasing burden in developing countries, it also poses a challenge for developed countries, which could only be managed by reducing stigma and strategic treatment. As per our study findings, epilepsy is a stigma in the Pakistani society. This argument is manifested by The Irish Epilepsy Association, which reported that 48% of people consider epilepsy as stigma for their life.¹² There is a dire need to educate patients, their family and public regarding epilepsy. Negative attitude of public towards people with epilepsy adversely affects quality of life of patient as well as their families.¹¹ Literature suggests that education and proper knowledge of epilepsy is required to overcome stigma of epilepsy that was previously ignored.¹³ Awareness is required regarding epilepsy otherwise it will remain as a stigma for the coming generations and if not controlled through modern treatment, unethical practices by quacks will be on rise.

Misconception and discrimination

There are lots of misconceptions associated with epilepsy. 80% study respondents reported that epilepsy is caused by supernatural power, which is also mentioned by Epilepsy foundation article. Throughout history, people with epilepsy and their families have suffered unfairly because of the ignorance of others. For centuries epilepsy was considered a curse of the Gods or worse that it was because of supernatural powers or sins of patients or ancestors. More than 100,000 women have been tortured and murdered believing that they are witches.¹⁴ The perception that epilepsy is contagious is discussed in a previous study that concludes the typical thinking that epilepsy could be transmitted through saliva.¹⁵ Because of limited knowledge respondents also believed that epilepsy is transmitted through blood transfusion or it is a hereditary disease. But as per epilepsy foundation, epilepsy is caused due to various reasons like brain tumors, stroke, head injuries etc. and it is not transmitted via blood transfusion or saliva.¹ These misconception leads to a lot problems and aggravates the disease.¹⁶

Behavior and discrimination by family, teachers, friends & community can further demoralize the patients (Table 4). People with epilepsy are afraid to disclose their condition to others because they are afraid that they will stop socializing with them or their children.¹¹ According to Epilepsy Fact Sheet October 2012, until the 1970s, it was legal in United States to deny people with seizures access to restaurants, theatres and recreational centers and to other public buildings.^9,11 According to another study, 29% people with epilepsy did not feel comfortable to tell their friends and families regarding their disease in order to avoid change of attitude, 48% reported that their family and friends attitude changes when they know about their disease, while 48% were afraid of the word epilepsy.¹⁷

Marriage and employment problems

People with epilepsy face problems in their reproductive years as well as epileptic women during the pregnancy period. According to Epilepsy Foundation, nearly one-third of epileptic men suffer from erectile dysfunction and many epileptic women complain of dry vagina, painful contractions during sex, or low libido.¹⁸ Our study results are consistent with the fact that people with epilepsy finds difficult to get married and have children (Table 3). Moreover, many epileptic patients do not know whether they will have a child after marriage or if they will develop complications if they get married.¹⁹ People with epilepsy also have fewer chances of employment opportunities (Table 2) though people with controlled seizure are equally capable of all types of jobs and they have the same intelligence and abilities.²⁰ According to questionnaire study on Knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy in school children and University Students in Rome, Italy largest number of correct answers for nearly all the questionnaire item regarding epilepsy were came from University students.²¹

Family support and awareness

Epilepsy affects the life of patients not because of the disease symptoms but tremendously because of psychological distress, particularly those with low socioeconomic status, low social support from family, unmarried and uneducated.^22,23 Epilepsy is a public health challenge and needs proper social support systems, awareness and disease monitoring among public and patients.¹⁷ A teen’s survey concluded that half of the teens have not heard about Epilepsy, 28% did not know that it is a mental disorder and most teens did not know what to do if someone has an epileptic attack. It is not only between patient and general public; health care workers’ knowledge regarding epilepsy is also limited. To reduce the gap, health facilities have to create awareness to improve healthcare knowledge regarding epilepsy.^13,18 To create mass awareness concerned authorities need to focus their efforts, build proper strategies and invest in this cause. Holistically to reduce stigmata of epilepsy we have to educate larger community, advocate programs at individual and societal level.²⁴

Socio economic status creates a major hurdle for management of epilepsy especially in Pakistan since it is a resource poor country. Improved knowledge and good health infrastructure would facilitate epilepsy management. Our study and similar other studies show high correlation between epilepsy management and knowledge. It is essential to provide more resources, develop innovative tools and educational models to improve patient’s compliance and practice.²⁵ Such efforts would require further in-depth research on epileptic patient’s knowledge, attitudes and practices and how they are interrelated. Epilepsy is a disability affecting the quality of life of patient²⁶ because of severity and frequency of seizures however people with epilepsy can enjoy a healthy life with proper treatment and social support.²

Study respondents suffering from epilepsy know far too little about epilepsy. Most patients with epilepsy have religious beliefs and erroneous perception of the disease, which negatively influences epilepsy management and increases treatment gaps. Epilepsy is considered as a stigma in Pakistan and affects the quality of life of people with epilepsy. Information campaigns designed to improve the general public’s knowledge of epilepsy should be encouraged at all educational levels so that future generations no longer consider epilepsy a stigma. Informational sessions with children in schools and universities can help in bringing a positive change to the future as the main success factor for treatment of epilepsy lies in awareness along with efficient and effective utilization of resources for epilepsy management. Our findings also provide a useful starting point for a future in-depth population-based survey on epilepsy.

RaheelNaz collected the data from the respondents and performed the analysis. SamiaZaheer provided useful comments during analysis and manuscript writing. Sayeeda Amber Sayed wrote the final manuscript and provided supervision in the designing, analysis and reporting of the data.

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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