Arts & Social Sciences
Te Kura Kete Aronui

Abstract

Simonsen, Kiri H. Māori and epilepsy: Personal perceptions of the causes, treatment and consequences of epilepsy by Māori in the Bay of Plenty.

The purpose of this thesis was to discover how Māori people from the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand perceive epilepsy. The specific aims of this study are to describe: (1) how Māori deal with epilepsy; (2) key issues that are relevant to Māori people with epilepsy; (3) how Māori deal with epilepsy; (4) what services Māori people with epilepsy desire/require; and (5) the traditional and contemporary views of epilepsy held by Māori. All the aims of this research were achieved. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five key informants, six caregivers and eight Māori people with epilepsy. From the interviews, transcripts or summaries were written and returned to participants for feedback. Qualitative data analysis was conducted on the returned documents.

The main findings suggest that Māori in the Bay of Plenty perceive epilepsy both traditionally, where epilepsy is associated with spirituality, and from a contemporary view point where epilepsy is considered as a medical condition. Key issues identified by the participants in the findings highlighted the need for further education and accessible information about epilepsy within the community. A lack was described of resources and services available in smaller towns in the Bay of Plenty, especially Opotiki. On the other hand, desirable services for Māori people with epilepsy and their whanau were identified. These included Māori services for Māori by Māori, more support groups and an improvement in the current services being delivered in Opotiki. Whanau, friends, the Epilepsy Association of New Zealand and members of church were all identified as avenues of support that helped Māori people with epilepsy and caregivers deal with epilepsy. Serendipitous findings of this study include reports from participants that they had experienced inappropriate behaviour from health professionals, which could have had serious consequences.

The main implication of this research is that a wide range of further research in Māori people with epilepsy and their whanau should be established and facilitated by Field Officers and that information should be readily available to the public.