Understand, Perceptions, and Practices (UPP) Among Patients of Epilepsy at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kashmir, India

Epilepsy is frequently associated with social stigma, misconceptions, treatment gaps, and poor quality of life. Cultural beliefs, limited awareness, and inadequate understanding regarding epilepsy continue to influence health-seeking behavior and treatment adherence among patients with epilepsy. The present study was aimed to obtain information on the understanding, perceptions, and practices among patients of epilepsy attending the neurology outpatient services at Shireenbagh Superspeciality Hospital, Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, Kashmir, India. This study included 75 people with epilepsy (PWE). Demographic details and responses to a questionnaire assessing the understanding, perceptions, and practices were recorded. All (100%) of PWE knew that epilepsy is an organic brain disorder and can be treated with modern drugs; however, among these 22.6% also believed that ayurvedic and unani therapies can treat epilepsy. All the patients knew about the importance of strict adherence to antiseizure medication. Note that 17.3% of PWE believed that epilepsy is caused by supernatural powers and 10.6% of patients believed that epilepsy is due to their sins or due to the sins of ancestors. About 24% of patients believed that faith healers can treat epilepsy. All the patients were aware of the role of brain imaging and electroencephalography in the diagnosis of epilepsy and about the negative impact of epilepsy on the studies of a child with epilepsy. Positive attitude was observed with respect to allowing a child with epilepsy to study and play (100%). Positive perceptions regarding taking up a job or driving was seen in 94.6% of patients. Positive attitudes regarding marriage (100%) and perception regarding conception in female patients with epilepsy (92%) were seen. Note that 32% of study patient knew about the impact of epilepsy or its treatment on pregnancy. Regional differences regarding understanding, perceptions, and practices as clear from the analysis of Indian data can be attributed to multiple factors, like literacy, awareness about epilepsy, religious beliefs, and practice of different systems of medicine. Publication History Article published online: 15 July 2026 © 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Limited A-13A, Graphix Tower 1, 6th floor, Sector 62, Noida 201309, Uttar Pradesh, India