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. 2023 Jun;8(2):425-435.
doi: 10.1002/epi4.12709. Epub 2023 Feb 27.

"The understanding and attitude toward epilepsy in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco"

Amina Tani  1 , Nawal Adali  1   2
Affiliations

"The understanding and attitude toward epilepsy in the Souss-Massa region of Morocco"

Amina Tani et al. Epilepsia Open. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Sociocultural beliefs about epilepsy impede medical treatment and social acceptance of people with epilepsy. These barriers can lead to disability and contribute to the stigmatization of people with epilepsy. Assessing knowledge, myths, and attitude about epilepsy and associated factors among adults in Souss-Massa, Morocco.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which data were collected from a sample of 385 individuals in the Souss-Massa region of Southern Morocco. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The analysis of the collected questionnaires was processed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.

Results: 385 responses were included in the analysis. The results reveal a lack of knowledge, an unfavorable attitude, and the persistence of myths and misunderstandings about epilepsy. The findings of this study suggest that good knowledge was significantly associated with sociodemographic factors: the age range of more than 54 years and health professional status. In addition, the favorable attitude toward epilepsy correlates with the sociodemographic factors: male gender and urban residential area.

Significance: The main finding of this study indicates insufficient knowledge, the persistence of myth, and an unfavorable attitude about epilepsy. Therefore, the application of public awareness programs about epilepsy in urban and rural areas is necessary.

Keywords: attitude; epilepsy; knowledge; myths.

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Conflict of interest statement

Both authors have completed The International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (uniform disclosure form) for conflicts of interest. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Demographic characteristics of the respondents in Souss‐Massa (n = 385). %: percent; A: age (years) of participants; B: gender of participants; C: participants’ educational level; D: participants’ origin; E: health professional status; F: participants with epilepsy; G: knowing a person with epilepsy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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