Abstracts

The purpose of this study is to estimate the magnitude of epilepsy stigma in four cities in the southern region of Brazil, a limited-resource country. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based study in Campinas, a large city with [sim]1 million inhabitants in the southeast of Brazil. We applied Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE) in 1.850 people from all the regions within the city following a sampling selection methodology (95% confidence interval and error of 2.3%). In order to assess whether there is a regional difference in degree of epilepsy stigma, we applied SSE in a random selected people on the streets during the II National Week of Epilepsy in other three cities; Vila Velha, Curitiba, and S[atilde]o Paulo. SSE consists of 10 questions that provide a total score ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 100 (highest level of stigma). SSE was developed and validated by our group and showed high internal consistency ([alpha] Cronbach[apos]s coefficient = 0.81). Sample size required for assessing group differences using SSE is 47 subjects (r=0,40; alpha=0,05 [IC=95%]; beta=0,20). The mean age of the subjects (53% women) was 39 years (range from 12 to 90 years) in Campinas. The mean SSE score was 42 (range from 3 to 98; SD=14). Women had SSE score higher (43) than men (40) (t-test [1848]=5.42; p[lt]0.001). In regard to religion, spiritism had lowest level of SSE score (35); (ANOVA [4,1845]=4.4; p=0.0015, Tukey[apos]s: spiritism[lt]catholic=evangelic=others=no religion). Level of education showed inverse relation to SSE scores, illiterate people had higher level of SSE score (45) than people with university degree (37) (ANOVA [4,1845]=16.3; p[lt]0.0001). In other three cities, it was applied 209 questionnaires (Curitiba = 83 subjects, S[atilde]o Paulo = 47, Vila Velha = 79). The mean SSE (95% Confidence interval) score were different among four cities: Campinas = 42 (95%CI = 41-43); Vila Velha = 42 (95%CI = 39-45); Curitiba = 49 (95%CI = 46-52); S[atilde]o Paulo = 53 (95%CI = 48-58). Our study showed that there are differences in the perception of stigma in different societies in the same country. The magnitude of stigma is different within segment a society, highlighting that sociocultural factors, such as gender, religion, and level of education are important predictors of stigma. Mass media campaign should target these social segments to fight prejudice and improve social acceptance of people with epilepsy. (Supported by FAPESP.)