Development and validation of the Kilifi epilepsy beliefs and attitude scale

Journal article

Epilepsy remains misunderstood, particularly in resource poor countries (RPC). We developed and validated a tool to assess beliefs and attitudes about epilepsy among people with epilepsy (PWE) in Kilifi, Kenya. The 50-item scale was developed through a literature review and qualitative study findings, and its reliability and validity were assessed with 673 PWE. A final scale of 34 items had Cronbach's alpha scores for the five subscales: causes of epilepsy (α = 0.71); biomedical treatment of epilepsy (α = 0.70); cultural treatment of epilepsy (α = 0.75); risk and safety concerns about epilepsy (α = 0.56); and negative attitudes about epilepsy (α = 0.76) and entire scale (α = 0.70). Test–retest reliability was acceptable for all the subscales.

The Kilifi Epilepsy Beliefs and Attitude Scale is a reliable and valid tool that measures beliefs and attitudes about epilepsy. It may be useful in other RPC or as a tool to assess the effectiveness of interventions to improve knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about epilepsy.

Authors: Mbuba, CK; Abubakar, A; Hartley, S; Odermatt, P; Newton, CR

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Epilepsy and Behavior
• Volume: 24
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 480-487
• Publication date: 2012-07-12
• Acceptance date: 2012-06-03
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.06.001
• EISSN: 1525-5069
• ISSN: 1525-5050
• Language: English
• Keywords: Africa; beliefs; stigma; epilepsy; attitudes