Objective: To determine belief systems and knowledge about PD among patients with PD, among the public and among traditional healers.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, associated with a significant increase in morbidity, disability, higher rates of mortality, and lower life expectancy than the general population (Schapira 2011). It had been thought that PD was rare in Sub Sahara Africa (SSA) but recent research has demonstrated higher rates of age-adjusted prevalence than previously described (Dotchin et al. 2012). In SSA, evidence suggests that most patients with PD are undiagnosed and therefore untreated (Dotchin et al. 2012). Knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about PD may play a role in the currently unexplained reasons behind diagnostic delays and treatment disparities of PD in SSA.

Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted to assess public, patients and traditional healers’ knowledge and beliefs about PD. The survey was carried out at Tygerberg hospital where all the patients with PD were interviewed, and at Khayelitsha Day Hospital where 97 non PD patients were interviewed giving a public perspective. 20 traditional healers in the metro region of Cape Town were interviewed.

Results: 60% of the respondents thought that PD was common with a further 30% believing it was extremely rare while 10% thought it was extremely common. 50% of the participants felt they were unlikely to get the disease with 30%, 18% and 2% feeling extremely unlikely, likely and extremely likely to get the disease respectively.Majority of the respondents saw PD as a very serious disease with 60% of the participants no being aware that there is no cure for PD. When asked about stigma associated with PD, 54% responded that there was stigma associated with PD with 40% responding that there was no stigma at all.6% were unsure.

Conclusions: The survey of public beliefs, knowledge and attitudes, showed stigma perceived to be associated with PD, as well as misconceptions about the course and outcomes of the disease. Perceived stigma, negative attitudes and incorrect beliefs are likely to impinge on the psychological well of those living with the disease particularly those of early onset.

Mapping the availability, price and affordability of drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease in Kenya.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/beliefs-and-knowledge-on-parkinsons-disease-pd-among-people-with-pd-the-public-and-traditional-healers-in-western-cape-south-africa/