Perception and psychosocial burden of people with epilepsy (PWE): Experience from Indonesia

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the perception of people with epilepsy (PWE) and their psychosocial burden.

Methods

This research used a qualitative method by using in-depth semi-structured interview technique to 7 PWE in Makassar.

Result

There are five themes arise from this study, which are the perception of epilepsy in people with epilepsy, the perceived psychosocial burden on people with epilepsy, coping strategies used by people with epilepsy, the expectations of people with epilepsy in the environment and the reality that occurs in people with epilepsy in Makassar.

Conclusions

The results indicate that there are still many negative perceptions arise from people's minds due to the lack of knowledge related to epilepsy. As a result, PWE often are excluded and shunned by the community.