Beliefs on epilepsy in Northern Ghana

• There are horrific perceptions on epilepsy found in Northern Ghana.
• The most interesting perceived cause of seizures in males is harboring anal worms.
• There is still much spirituality attached to the cause of epilepsy in Northern Ghana.
• It is believed that alternating hot with cold baths can be a cure for epilepsy.
• There is a belief that adulterous women have epilepsy as a punishment.

Stigma associated with any chronic disease is one of the greatest challenges to the treatment of the disease. Stigma in health is a complex concept, and it causes people with a stigmatizing disease to conceal their disorder. Epilepsy is one such condition with numerous outdated, sometimes inhumane, and sometimes absurd perceptions that tend to fuel its stigma. Health-care workers who participated in an epilepsy training program as part of a World Health Organization/Ghana Health Service collaboration were asked to compile the perceptions associated with epilepsy in their communities. The comments they gathered are presented here.