Assessment of the Prevalence and Factors Associated to Perceived Stigma among Epileptic Patient who are on Follow up at Hospitals in West Shewa Zone, Central Ethiopia, Institutional Based Cross-Sectional Study, 2017

Background: Perceived stigma is considered to be one of the most important factors that have a negative influence on people with epilepsy. All types of perceived stigma further exert stress and restrict normal participation in society. Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 10, 2017 to February 10, 2017. All people with epilepsy in west Shewa zone were source population. The sample size was determined using single population proportion formula and 363 study subjects were selected. To select the study subjects the hospitals found in West Shewa Zone was stratified and the calculated sample size was proportional allocated. The study subject was selected using systematic random sampling. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Result: Prevalence of perceived stigma was 34.4% among People with epilepsy on follow up at west Shewa public hospitals. Age group 35 up to 44 years (AOR = 0.8, 95% 0.102, 0.52), no formal education (AOR = 8.8(2.29, 33.82)) and grade1-8th (AOR = 6.07, 2.05, 17.97), less than one year on (AOR = 5.66, 2.09, 15.38), 2-5 years (AOR = 4.88 , 2.09, 11.33) and 6-10 years duration of illness (AOR = 3.71(1.55, 8.87), depression symptoms(AOR = 29.66(12.55, 70.09),anxiety symptoms (AOR = 2.44(1.23, 4.84) were significantly associated with perceived stigma. Conclusion: Prevalence of perceived stigma of PWE is high in the present. Age, educational status, duration of illness, depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly associated with perceived stigma among people with epilepsy.