TITLE:
Social Perception of Epilepsy among Caregivers of Epileptic Children in Bangui
AUTHORS:
Emmanuel Yangatimbi, Duval Lewis Grenaba, Caprice Vivien Ndouelle, Josué Pierre Kinima, Pascal Mbelesso
KEYWORDS:
Epilepsy, Perception, Caregivers, Children, Bangui
JOURNAL NAME:
Neuroscience and Medicine,
Vol.16 No.2,
June
3,
2025
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions worldwide. It affects all age groups. Improved care is possible thanks to good knowledge of the disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception of epilepsy among caregivers of epileptic children in Bangui with a view to contributing to the improvement of their care. Patients and Methods: This was a descriptive and exhaustive cross-sectional study among caregivers of children with epilepsy in four health facilities in Bangui from January 5 to July 5, 2023. Results: We surveyed a total of 80 caregivers. The majority of caregivers were aged 18 - 35. However, the real range was from 18 to 70 years old. Females predominated with a female-to-male sex ratio of 3.44. The majority of caregivers (90%) were at least educated. All those surveyed said they had heard about epilepsy previously (coming from neighborhood from friends and relatives). Among these caregivers, 36.36% believed that epilepsy was a contagious disease. The caregivers considered brain damage (48.75%) as the main possible cause of epilepsy. Most of the respondents (90%) are familiar with the clinical manifestation of grand mal type. The main triggering factors reported were Insomnia (26.25%) and emotional crises (25%). School difficulties (82.27%) were identified as the main complication in the life of an epileptic child. Half of the caregivers preferred modern medical treatment (antiepileptic drugs). 50% of the respondents considered epilepsy a medical condition, while 21.25% linked it to bad luck. Finally, 37.50% of caregivers took a child experiencing an epileptic seizure immediately to the hospital. Conclusion: At the end of this study, knowledge about epilepsy remains insufficient among parents of epileptic children in Bangui.