Public Attitude Toward Epilepsy in Chonnam Rural Areas - Baseline Data for Interventional Trial -

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 14(2); 1996 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1996;14(2): 389-407.

전남농촌지방에서 간질에 대한 사회적 태도 - 개입연구를 위한 기초자료 -

박상준, 정슬기, 김명규, 조기현, 최진수*, 김세종

전남대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실, 예방의학교실*

Public Attitude Toward Epilepsy in Chonnam Rural Areas - Baseline Data for Interventional Trial -

Sang Jun Park, M.D., Xeul Ki Jeong, M.D., Myeong Kyu Kim, M.D., Ki Hyun Cho, M. D., Jin Su Choi, M.D.*, Sei Jong Kim, M.D.

Department of Neurology Nd Preventive Medicine*, Chonnam University School of Medicine

Abstract

Social discrimination against people with epilepsy is a common phenomenon all over the world, in spite of different cultural backgrounds. To know the public attitude toward epilepsy in Chonnam rural area, questionnaire survey was performed. Total 802 people answered to the questionnaire which consisted of 39 parts on several aspects of attitude and knowledge for epilepsy. The results were as follows; 1) In Chonnam rural area, epilepsy was a well known illness. 2) The incantatory, supernatal thinking was markedly prevalent, compared with other societies. 3) The social attitude for the jobs of epileptic people was negative even in the well controlled cases. 4) The prejudice was more serious in the lower educated people, and in the female group 5) The most important factor leading to the inadequate social attitude toward epilepsy was the knowledge, "epilepsy could not be treated." Public education and campaign for epilepsy should be considered to improve the quality of life of epileptic patients in rural areas.