Mohamed A Taha, Siham Ahmed Balla, Abbashar M Hussien and Mohamed D Dafaalla
Epilepsy is the world’s most common and most serious chronic neurological disease affecting near 50 million
people. Epilepsy has a well-recognized stigma which is defined by Link and Phalen as a status which exists when
elements of labeling, stereotyping, separation, status loss, and discrimination occur together in a power situation that
allows them to unfold. Stigma has a major contribution to the reduction of quality of life in people with epilepsy.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the types of stigma types, frequency, its association with
demographical factors, and the coping ability in PWE.
Methods: Health facility-based case-series analytical study was conducted on 80 patients with epilepsy aged
from 8-70 years attending Dr. Abbashar Hussein's charity clinic in Om-Durman city. Verbal consent was obtained
from the patients and a standardized questionnaire was used for the interview of the patients. Assistance was
occasionally asked from their relative. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.
Results: 16.3% were found to have a positive felt stigma score. Nearly half of PWE had courtesy stigma, also
coaching stigma affected half of PWE. One fifth of PWE had poor coping score. Age below forty was found to be a
determinant factor for the coping of people with epilepsy as well as courtesy stigma. Frequency of seizures of more
than 3 per month reduced coping score of PWE.
Conclusion: The results suggest the great need for psychological counseling for high risk groups of PWE.