Preventing violence against dementia sufferers in Mapotu, Lesotho

Abstract

The study sought to establish the interventions that can help in the prevention of violence against dementia sufferers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to prevent violence against dementia sufferers in Mapotu, Lesotho. The research used an action research approach and a qualitative research design. The data collection methods that were used were interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicated that dementia sufferers are subjected to violence, discrimination, and stigma, and their family members are being discriminated against and stigmatised by community members. It was revealed that most of the people in Mapotu do not know about dementia, and they attribute the symptoms of the disease to witchcraft, which leads them to subject the sufferers and their families to violence, discrimination, and stigma. This misinformation and behaviour are country-wide phenomena.