| Possession by 'Jinn' as a cause of epilepsy (Saraa): A study from Saudi Arabia. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 22310171 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
PURPOSE: Epilepsy has been linked to divine, demonic and supernatural powers throughout its long history. This study was conducted to explore if misconceptions such as possession by demons (Jinns) are still believed to be a cause of epilepsy among educated Saudis today. METHOD: This study was conducted among university-educated school teachers and undergraduate students. The findings are based on a structured questionnaire enquiring about familiarity with epilepsy, sources of knowledge, and depth of knowledge about specific aspects of epilepsy. RESULTS: Responses from 398 participants were included in the analysis of the results. Most participants had witnessed epileptic seizures. 2/3 of the participants reported that they had learned about epilepsy from friends and relatives. 172 (43.1%) members believed that epilepsy is a psychiatric disease. 62 (40.3%) of the school teachers and 123 (50.4%) of the students in the study considered possession as a cause of epilepsy. The majority of the cohort believed medical treatment for the condition exists despite the fact that a significant number believed that faith healers and traditional medicine can be of help in the treatment of epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Jinn possession is still believed to be a cause of epilepsy in Saudi society, even among fairly well-educated people. This finding emphasizes the urgent need for public education campaigns at all levels of education. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Tahir Obeid; Ahmad Abulaban; Fawazia Al-Ghatani; Abdul Rahman Al-Malki; Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2012-2-4 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Seizure : the journal of the British Epilepsy Association Volume: - ISSN: 1532-2688 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2012 Feb |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2012-2-7 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 9306979 Medline TA: Seizure Country: - |
Other Details:
|
Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
|
Copyright © 2012 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
|
King Abdulaziz Medical City, King Khalid National Guard Hospital, Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
|
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Drought episode modulates the response of river biofilms to triclosan.
Next Document: Stereospecific antioxidant effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on oxidative stress induced by cyclophosphamid...