Uloga socio-demografskih i iskustvenih čimbenika u formiranju stavova i socijalne distance prema epilepsiji i oboljelima [The role of socio-demographic and empiric factors in the formation of attitudes and social distance towards epilesy and people with epilepsy]

Abstract

Public knowledge, perception and attitude of Croatian citizens towards epilepsy were studied on a random sample of 1000 inhabitants older than 15 years of age who answered 12 questions in a dedicated questionnaire [Croatian Epilepsy Questionnaire (CEQ)-12 (CEQ12)]. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in participants' households by Ipsos PULS, market and public opinion research agency (Zagreb) in 2004 and 2009. Standard methods of descriptive and analytical statistics were utilized in data analysis. Over ninety percent (92.3%) knew about epilepsy, 47.1% knew a person with epilepsy, 38.6% witnessed an epileptic seizure, 3.1% believed epilepsy was a form of insanity, 80.6% could list at least one symptom, and 45.9% at least one cause of epilepsy. The respondents considered seizures (29.6%), injuries during attacks (22.6%), and fear of seizures (18.9%) the worst aspects of epilepsy for the patient. Epilepsy (5.3/8) ranked sixth out of eight studied diseases based on severity (lung cancer, AIDS, stroke, heart attack, schizophrenia, epilepsy, depression, andpeptic ulcer). Only 7.8% respondents would object to having their child socialize with a child with epilepsy, while 77.8% believed that a child with epilepsy can succeed equally in life as its healthy counterpart. Almost half (45.9%) of participants would approach and help a seizing person, while 36.2% would approach a seizing person and call the Emergency Medical System (EMS) without direct involvement. Of the eight diseases compared, the average expressed distance towards epilepsy was 2.6 on a 1 to 6 scale (1. Spouse, 2. Friend, 3. Coworker/neighbor, 4. Sharing the city, 5. Sharing the country, 6. Avoid at all costs) and closest to collegiality (3. Coworker/neighbor). Researched attitudes towards epilepsy and persons who suffer from it did not change significantly between the surveys in 2004 and 2009. General familiarity with epilepsy in Croatia was at the level of most developed countries, explicit attitudes towards this disease among the most progressive in Europe, and implicit attitudes revealed openness at the level of most developed societies. A moderate distance towards epilepsy and persons with 106 Bagić A. (2011) Uloga socio-demografskih i iskustvenih čimbenika u formiranju stavova i socijalne distance prema epilepsiji i oboljelima. epilepsy was expressed along with, to a large extent, readiness to help a seizing person. Along with the stability of attitudes, the study confirmed that empiric factors (knowing a person with epilepsy, having witnessed an epileptic seizure) were correlated more consistently and stronger with more positive attitudes towards epilepsy and smaller social distance towards persons with epilepsy than demographic characteristics, and that attitude and distance towards epilepsy is an expression of general attitude and disposition towards stigmatizing diseases or diseased persons, and not of specific disposition towards this population. This study indicates a new and more economical approach for the possibility of accomplishing bigger and farther reaching changes in public attitudes using social marketing