New European project puts epilepsy in the picture
The kick-off meeting of the EPIPICTO project, a European Erasmus+ project to develop a pictorial guide for adults with epilepsy with reading difficulties, was held in Malta from 24-25 November 2017. The five partner organisations from Austria, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands and Scotland met with local people affected by epilepsy, and other stakeholders, to discuss what this guide should include.
Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological conditions affecting one per cent of the population worldwide, and is associated with a huge burden of stigma. The EU literacy report (2012) showed that up to 20 per cent of European adults have poor literacy skills, and from experience, many people living in rural areas have little or no access to education. In view of the recent influx of migrants into Europe who might not speak the language of the country in which they settle, it is estimated that this percentage is higher and can have a significant impact on people’s quality of care and quality of life. Poor literacy skills lead to poor health-seeking behaviour and contributes to the enduring stigma of epilepsy. This project aims to meet this unmet need.
The aim of the guide is to share information about what epilepsy is, and what it is not. The guide will allow for easy knowledge-transfer on facts about epilepsy. It is envisaged that this will also help adults with epilepsy to improve their health-seeking behaviour, contribute to an improved quality of life and in turn contribute.