Knowledge and Social Construction of Epilepsy and its Treatment among Households of Vihiga County, Kenya

Background: Epilepsy is a medical condition with serious social ramification. People living with epilepsy experience lowered quality of live and altered self-esteem as a result of stigma attached to their condition. This stigma may be attributed to knowledge deficit and different social meaning on epilepsy among populations. This study sort to assess knowledge and social construction of epilepsy and its treatment modalities among households in Vihiga County of Kenya. Method: A survey study was carried between January-June 2016. The study sort to understand knowledge on causes and treatment modalities of epilepsy among people living in Vihiga County. A sample of 121participants was randomly selected from 121 households that were selected through stratified proportionate sampling techniques. Results: Thirty five (35%) defined epilepsy by describing what happens during an epileptic fit. 30% defined epilepsy by giving signs and symptoms of the condition, 24% explained epilepsy by explaining cause of the condition while 10% explained using perception: Causes; Respondents gave varied responses on causes for epilepsy, they included, curse, breaking a taboo, heredity, acute illness such as Malaria and complications from physical injury to the brain: Treatment; 50.8% said epilepsy can be treated using anti-epileptic medicine. 11.5% said herbal medication could heal epilepsy, 6% said eating cooked dog meat could heal epilepsy, 20% said rituals and animal sacrifices could heal epilepsy while 1% said epilepsy can be resolved by killing the person who is suffering epilepsy. Conclusion: Though signs and symptoms of epilepsy are well known, there is knowledge deficit on causes and treatment of epilepsy