Epilepsy, Culture and Stigma study

We are a team of researchers who are trying to explore the level of knowledge and societal stigma towards people with epilepsy including negative stereotypes, work and role expectations, cultural, and personal fear, and social avoidance in a global society.

Stigma of Epilepsy: A Global Survey

If you would like to participate in this study and meet the following criteria, we invite you to complete a survey, which will take 15 – 20 minutes to complete.

Criteria

• Aged above 18.
• Able to provide informed consent.

You are invited to participate in a research study:

• Survey (English version)
• Survey (Malay version)
• Survey (Spanish version)
• Survey (Arabic version)

Enquiries

Associate Professor Mohd. Farooq Shaikh
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Email: mshaikh@csu.edu.au

This project seeks to raise awareness of the stigma of epilepsy. The overall aim is to reduce the level of discrimination against affected individuals. This is achieved through research in three areas:

• The level of knowledge of such diseases among culturally diverse communities.
• The level of trust toward cultural leaders and medical practitioners for medical information and education.
• Current engagement efforts undertaken by cultural institutions to combat stigma against epilepsy.

How you can help

Participating in this study is voluntary and you are under no obligation to consent to participate. By completing this survey, you consent to participate. The survey will take 15-20 minutes to complete. If there are questions that you are uncomfortable with, you may skip those questions.

Your anonymity will be ensured throughout the entire research process. Once you have submitted your survey response, it will not be possible to withdraw from it as your identity is anonymous.

Storage of the data collected will adhere to the University regulations and will be saved for 5 years. A report of the study may be submitted for publication, but individual participants will not be identifiable in such a report.

If you would like to contact the researchers about any aspect of this study, please email the Chief Investigator Associate Professor Mohd. Farooq Shaikh: mshaikh@csu.edu.au