Epilepsy: Myths Prevent Treatment For 80% Of Affected Africans

Myths and superstition prevent up to 80% of Africans suffering from epilepsy from being treated, according to the World Health Organization. "An estimated 70% of patients with epilepsy could [lead] normal lives if properly treated," said Dr. Ebrahim Samba, WHO's regional director for Africa. In many cases, he said, the reasons they are not receiving treatment are not only economic but also social, since the brain disorder is associated with evil spirits. Misconceptions lead many Africans to seek help from traditional healers rather than medical specialists, even when they can afford it.

WHO today launched a global epilepsy campaign aimed at improving treatment and raising public awareness to dispel myths concerning the illness. According to the WHO's Derek Yach, the campaign is part of the "new global strategies of the [WHO] in coping with the hidden and ever-increasing burden of mental illness."

According to the WHO's World Health Report for 1997, more than 40 million people worldwide suffer from different types of epilepsy. Approximately 85% of them live in developing countries. An estimated 3 to 4 million Africans could benefit from the new WHO epilepsy program, the agency said (WHO release, 4 May).