Introduction:
Epilepsy is, after headaches, the second most common chronic
neurological pathology in the world. In sub-Saharan Africa,
the socio-cultural representations attached to this pathology
constitute a real obstacle to its effective care (PEC). In order
to improve the management of EVPs, we have done this work
with the general objective of describing the socio-cultural representations
of epilepsy.
Population and methods:
We carried out a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study
of CAP type in all UMNG institutions and in the two private
Universities of the city of Brazzaville (ESGAE and EST) for
a period of two months. In total, 264 students were included
in our study. They were selected by simple random sampling.
These students were subjected to a questionnaire inspired by
the EMIC and allowing to describe the socio- demographic
characteristics, to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude and
practice as well as the different therapeutic itineraries chosen
for the care of EVPs.
Results:
The median age of the respondents was 24 years old. There was
a clear male predominance (sex ratio = 1.7). The most represented
ethnic groups were KONGO (61.7%), TEKE (20.1%)
and BANGALA (17.1%). One hundred percent of the students
knew the disease called "epilepsy", they knew its denomination
in mother tongue: mpouka (KONGO), itsoua (TEKE), otsinga
(BANGALA). In Lingala and Kituba, it was "malade ya
ndeke". However, only 26.9% had a good level of knowledge
about epilepsy according to our judgment criteria, the associated
ones are the highest level of education (OR = 2.08, p =
0.010) and having already observed an epileptic seizure (OR =
5.04, p = 0.009). It was noted that 11.7% of students expressed
stigmatizing attitudes toward the POIs and practical actions in
the face of a seizure victim were inadequate. On the other hand
70.5% would choose the Hospital as first aid.
Conclusion:
Epilepsy remains poorly known and subject to stigmatization
even in the most educated populations. Hence the need for
awareness campaigns.