Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41647327›Full record

ReviewAfrican journal of disability2026

Epilepsy-related stigma in Nigeria: A systematic review of manifestations, impacts, and socio-cultural drivers.

Boluwatife O Alege, Chisom P Agbo, Adeolu Anthony Olagunju

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in African journal of disability, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Boluwatife O AlegeDepartment of Public Health, Sport and Well-being, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9430-8574
Chisom P AgboDepartment of Public Health, Sport and Well-being, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4803-6223
Adeolu Anthony OlagunjuDepartment of Public Health, Sport and Well-being, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Society, University of Chester, Chester, United Kingdom.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3587-9443

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Stigma poses significant challenges to the overall quality of life of people living with epilepsy (PLWE) in Nigeria; yet, there remains a limited understanding of the stigmatisation of PLWE. Objectives: Guided by critical theory, the purpose of this systematic review is to synthesise evidence on the nature, impact, and socio-cultural drivers of epilepsy-related stigma in Nigeria. This review attempts to provide insights that could be useful for informing interventions to empower PLWE, reduce their burdens, improve their outcomes, and foster their inclusion in the Nigerian society. Method: Literature search was conducted using six electronic databases - APA PsycINFO, Google Scholar, JSTOR, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus - to identify relevant studies published between 2011 and 2024. Qualitative and quantitative studies were included. A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analysed using thematic and narrative syntheses. Results: The findings revealed that stigma is a multi-dimensional issue encompassing perceived, enacted, and internalised forms. Cultural misconceptions such as beliefs associating epilepsy with witchcraft, curses, and contagion were found to be the primary drivers of stigma. Economic barriers, gender-specific vulnerabilities, and social exclusion further perpetuate discrimination and healthcare disparities. Stigma is associated with social determinants of health, such as education, employment, and gender, to limit opportunities and quality of life for PLWE. Conclusion: This study highlights that stigma adversely affects PLWE, perpetuating marginalisation, social isolation, and healthcare inequalities. Contribution: Urgent action is required to implement culturally sensitive interventions, enhance healthcare policies, and increase awareness to address stigmatisation, ensuring equitable treatment and access.

Indexed as

cultural beliefsdiscriminationepilepsyNigeriapeople living with epilepsysocial exclusionstigma

Identifiers

PMID41647327
PMCPMC12869511

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.