Mixed-methods case study demonstrates support for community programs and policies in Zambia, highlighting stigma reduction and improved quality of life efforts.
This study proposes evidence-based interventions to mitigate stigma and improve the quality of life (QoL) for people living with epilepsy (PLWE) in Shiwang’andu District, Zambia, a rural area where cultural misconceptions exacerbate discrimination. Using a mixed-methods case study approach, guided by Goffman’s Theory of Social Stigma and Link and Phelan’s Stigma Process Model, data were collected from 62 participants via questionnaires and 18 semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate strong support for community education programs (88.7%), mobile epilepsy clinics (80.6%), and anti-discrimination policies (77.4%) to address stigma and enhance QoL. These interventions target cultural beliefs, negative community attitudes, and healthcare access barriers, aligning with global and regional strategies. The study contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities), offering a blueprint for culturally sensitive interventions to foster inclusion and improve well-being for PLWE in rural Zambia.
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Sampa et al. (2025) studied this question.
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