Attitude of Family Members Toward Persons with Epilepsy in Osun State, South West Nigeria

Epilepsy carries significant psychosocial burden in sub-Saharan Africa, where cultural misconceptions frequently result in stigma and exclusion of affected individuals. This study examines the attitudes of family members toward persons with epilepsy (PWE) in Osun State, South West Nigeria, with a focus on the domestic and social dimensions of stigmatization. A cross-sectional descriptive design will recruit 240 family members of individuals with confirmed epilepsy diagnoses from Osun State Specialist Hospital and two general hospitals. The Attitude Scale for Epilepsy (ASE) will be administered alongside a structured sociodemographic questionnaire. Religion, educational level, duration of epilepsy in the relative, and prior education about the condition will be analyzed as predictors of attitude scores. Binary logistic regression will be employed to identify significant determinants. Qualitative vignettes will also be used to explore family narratives around shame, secrecy, and coping. Recent research from South West Nigeria highlights that negative familial attitudes significantly predict poor medication adherence and social withdrawal in PWE. Findings will inform family psychoeducation programs and neurology outreach initiatives in Osun State. Keywords: epilepsy, family attitudes, stigma, Osun State, social exclusion