Perception and Beliefs of Clergy Regarding on Epilepsy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-02-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Epilepsy is old disease of brain and accompanying with misconception. the first choice
of place in the pathway in the treatment of epilepsy patients in Ethiopia is holy water
due to religion beliefs. As a result, modern treatments are not the main treatment of
choice for the majority of Ethiopian’s epileptic patients. Priests, Imam and or traditional
healers are front liner care provider.
The target population of this study was the clergy serving in the Churches and Mosques
in Addis Ababa. To achieve the general objectives, a qualitative research method was
used to explore the beliefs and perception of clergy regarding on epilepsy. Non
probability purposive sampling technique was used to meet the inclusion criteria and
therefore semi-structured focused group discussion and key informant were used as a
method of data collection tools.
The finding showed that study participants expressed perceptions and thoughts towards
epilepsy disease including about its cause, stigma and misconception, role of clergy in
supporting individual with epilepsy. All of the clergies accepted the dual cause concepts
of epilepsy .According to them, both spiritual and medical reason attributed for
epilepsy. They mentioned their challenges where some individuals feign epilepsy to
commit theft, creating fear and mistrust among clergy members. There is a growing
recognition of the need to integrate spiritual and medical treatment for epilepsy. Clergy
members emphasized that medications are not a sin and should not be seen as
contradictory to faith, and they encouraged the use of both spiritual and medical
approaches. Providing structured training for clergy on epilepsy and its treatment as
well as Fostering collaboration between religious institutions and healthcare providers
are recommended.
Objectives: To explore the perceptions and beliefs of clergy working at churches and
mosques found in the capital city of Ethiopia.
Methods: Adescriptive phenomenology qualitative thematic analysis study was
conducted with interviews using a semi-structured type of guided interview. The study
used a non-probability purposive sampling method
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Keywords
Perception, Beliefs of Clergyre Gardinge pilepsy