Stigma and concealment of disease in individuals with epilepsy

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the levels of stigma and concealment of disease in individuals with epilepsy and the factors affecting them. Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 140 individuals with epilepsy who were followed at the neurology outpatient clinic of Ardahan State Hospital. The data were collected using a personal information form, a felt stigma scale, and a concealment of epilepsy scale. Results: The mean stigma score of individuals with epilepsy was found to be 27.26 (SD = 7.56), and their mean concealment score was found to be 34.78 (SD = 10.91). A positive significant correlation was found between stigma and concealment scores (p < 0.001). The mean stigma and concealment scores were higher for the individuals who were single, had suffered an injury during a seizure and had a family history of epilepsy (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis was carried out to examine the factors related to concealment scores. The model was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Stigma score (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.05) and level of education (p < 0.05) were found to be significantly associated with concealment scores. Conclusions: Concealment of disease was significantly associated with higher felt stigma, younger age and higher education level. Felt stigma was more prevalent among single participants, those with a family history of epilepsy and those who had had injuries during seizures.