Language barriers and cultural myths surrounding epilepsy are stigmatising sufferers of the condition within Bradford's South Asian community, a new study has revealed.

Carried out by the Health Services Research Unit and led by Professor John Wright at Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the findings of the two-year project were unveiled in Manningham yesterday.

The research looked at perceptions of the condition, family relationships, lifestyle considerations, complementary therapies and provision of services available.

And one of the main findings was the need for a volunteer Asian support worker to speak to people in their own language, because of a lack of interpreters with specialist knowledge.

One in three of those who took part in the study, which was funded and commissioned by the Yeadon-based support charity Epilepsy Action, were not fluent in English and had to rely on family to translate, which they said could be embarrassing.

The purpose of the study was to help the charity provide the right support, advice and information about epilepsy, which is a condition causing recurrent seizures and affecting 440,000 people in the UK.

Research associate Hanif Ismail, who helped collate information from 30 Asian people with epilepsy, 16 carers and ten health professionals, told the meeting at Cartwright Hall, in Lister Park, that the condition was commonly referred to as a "migree", which means 'fit with negative connotations'.

He said it was looked on as a disability among people who were born in Asia, or older generations, and they were often seen as being possessed by spirits, or "jinns".

"This can result in social isolation for many as they are excluded from events like weddings," he said.

Mr Ismail said in one woman's case she was removed from school because her family feared the embarrassment a fit could cause.

It also found more support groups were needed and information should be made more widely available to create a wider understanding.

Epilepsy Action is now looking at ways to implement the findings, one of which will be the production of information packs in Bengali and Punjabi next year. The charity's epilepsy services manager Monica Cooper said: "Cultural and language barriers might prevent patients accessing epilepsy services."

Rukhsana Hasmi, 39, was one of the epilepsy patients to take part in the study and spoke at the launch.

"It has been really hard for my family and I realise it can be embarrassing for them if I have a seizure," she said.

"The trouble is I don't know when I'm going to have a seizure so this limits what I can do and, although I'd like to drive, I can't."

The mother-of-four had epilepsy for 15 years but it was only diagnosed five years ago.

l Advice is available on the charity's freephone helpline on 0808 800 5050.