Professional paper

Stigmatization and Stereotypes in Patients with Epilepsy

Alen Breček ; Neuropsychiatric Hospital “Dr. Ivan Barbot” Popovača, Croatia
Irena Canjuga ; University North, University Centre Varaždin, Croatia
Vesna Herceg ; Secondary School Viktorovac, Sisak, Croatia

Abstract

Epilepsy is a brain disease presenting with spontaneous, unpredictable and excessive electric discharges of parts of the brain or the whole brain which are clinically manifested by seizures. Epileptic seizures may include various symptoms and signs, depending on which part of the brain is affected. The seizure is highly traumatic for the patient and his surroundings even when a patient’s seizures are rare. One of the major factors which affects patients is constant stigmatization by the society they live in. Stigmatization can only be affected by higher quality of education. The goal of high quality education is to make the life of patients easier by lowering the level of discomfort that the seizure brings if it happens in public. Goal: Demonstrate that knowledge about a disease is a major factor in reducing prejudice and stigmatization. Methods: The study was conducted on 80 medical professionals (nurses, pharmacists) and 84 other professional examinees (sellers,
hairdressers, cooks, and waiters). 82 examinees lived in a rural and 82 lived in an urban area. The examination was performed with an anonymous questionnaire. Results: The independent T-test was used to test the hypothesis. The results of the study showed that a higher knowledge level decreases stigmatization, which confirms the necessity of additional education of the general population. This is the best way to lower prejudice towards people suffering from epilepsy. By testing our hypothesis about the effect of the living area on stigmatization we came to the conclusion that there is no significant difference between examinees living in urban and rural areas. Conclusion: It is important to improve the education of medical employees and the general population. Stigmatization is associated with the level of knowledge.
That is why we should emphasize the motto: “Knowledge against stigma!” for epilepsy and other diseases which cause social discomfort due to lack of knowledge.

Keywords

Stereotype; Epilepsy; Prejudice; Stigmatization; Knowledge

Hrčak ID:

200580

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/200580

Publication date:

30.3.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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