Epilepsy, Stigmatization and the Publicity Imperative for Nigeria: An Assessment of NECAP-Rise Clinic Communication Initiative

Abstract

Stigmatization associated with health conditions is often a challenge in health management. A person is stigmatized when he or she is a carrier of a dangerous disease such as TB or Ebola. Epilepsy is an ailment that is hereditary; a brain disorder that is symptomatic of seizures. This study sought to determine patterns of media exposure on NECAP-RISE campaigns against epilepsy stigmatization; the impact of such media campaigns on health information seeking among epileptic patients; the impact of NECAP-RISE media campaigns in bettering the understanding of epilepsy as a public health concern; and, stigmatization as a burden to epileptic patients in the Nigerian socio-cultural setting. In-depth interviews were conducted among 30 epileptic patients registered with RISE Clinic NECAP program. Also, 400 non-epileptic persons were surveyed across the three senatorial zones in Nigeria’s Anambra state. The study found that there was poor media publicity against epilepsy stigmatization; also, the study established that epileptic patients were usually stigmatized in the Nigerian context. The study, therefore, recommended publicity, verging on public education and enlightenment campaigns, by government and nongovernmental organizations to mitigate the burden of stigmatization faced by epileptic patients in Nigeria.

Keywords: Stigmatization, Epilepsy, Publicity imperative, NECAP-Rise Clinic