Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Care Takers of Epilepsy Patients in Burera District, Rwanda.

Abstract

Objective: Burera district has suffered from a high prevalence of epilepsy and the people with epilepsy experience inadequate social and medical treatment. The objective in this study was to assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices of care takers of epilepsy patients in Burera district, Rwanda. Methods: Care takers in rural district of Rwanda (Burera) completed a self- administered, 35-item questionnaire containing items addressing personal experience with epilepsy, social tolerance, and willingness to provide care, epilepsy care knowledge, and estimates of others’ attitudes. Analyses were conducted to assess characteristics associated with epilepsy management in the community. Results: With respect to how others view people with epilepsy, care takers indicated that among their family members, people with epilepsy are usually feared (48.1%) or rejected (26.9%), with only 20% of care takers reporting that people with epilepsy are accepted. Care takers viewed the community as even less supportive of people with epilepsy, reporting that the community rejects or fears people with epilepsy 49.8 and 39.0%, respectively. Only 7% of care takers feel that people with epilepsy are accepted by their community. Then, the management of epilepsy in the community is negative, as many children with epilepsy cannot be taken to school and adult people cannot find a job, what increase their bad leaving conditions. Conclusions—Knowledge gaps exist in the community on the causes of mismanagement of epilepsy. Care takers expressed both personal and professional reservations about people with epilepsy marrying, studying, and working. This reflects the conditions in which people with epilepsy are put in and more information about epilepsy should be provided to all categories of people.