An investigation of a group of Khayelitsha parents' understanding of the causes and management of their childrens' epilepsy

The purpose of this dissertation was to document the findings of a study on what the parents of children with epilepsy understood as the cause of their childrens' condition, and how they managed it The study utilised the framework of medical, anthropological and eco - systemic models to gain an understanding of the causes and management of epilepsy. Twelve parents of children with epilepsy in Khayelitsha, a peri-urban township in Cape Town, were interviewed with the use of a semi- structured interview schedule. Interviews were recorded and later transcribed and data was analysed through the constant comparative method. The interview explored the causes of epilepsy and the factors that trigger the onset of seizures of which most respondents had no understanding. It further explored the medical management of epilepsy in regard to kind of treatment received by child, understanding of required dose and when medication bad to be taken.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

School of Education

Year dc:date.issued

1998

Author dc:creator

• Keikelame, Mpoe Johannah

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Donald, David

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9581

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/9581