Background:It is crucial to understand the perceptions and beliefs about Neurocysticercosis(NCC) among children to optimize treatment plans, develop health education modules and preventive strategies in endemic communities.

Methods:It was a cross-sectional qualitative study to assess the perceptions and beliefs of parents and caregivers about Neurocysticercosis.The study group included parents and caregivers of 122 children with NCC.In-depth interviews were taken about their perceptions and beliefs about the disease.This study is part of a larger study evaluating the effect of educational intervention among children and parents with NCC.

Results:Majority(92%) of the parents and caregivers were not aware of the disease prior to their child’s illness and refer to the illness as an infection by “keera” in brain.Cabbage was considered the cause by 32.7%. 30(24.6%)  participants reported belief in superstitions/faith healers.Other kinds of treatment our participants had heard of were homeopathy, “jari booti”(medicinal herbs), “jhara”(traditional faith healer) and local “desi” medication.43.4% of the caregivers reported being aware of the treatment provided by faith healer from a place-Kekri, near Ajmer,Rajasthan. One of them reported that the treatment costed about  Rs.35000/-, where a “worm/insect” was made to come out of the nose of the patient.The local faith healer is well known as “Kekdi wale Baba” to most people.

Conclusion:Our study revealed various local cultural beliefs and practices of the parents and caregivers regarding management of Neurocysticercosis in children.Various stakeholders need to be sensitized about these perceptions and beliefs to optimize treatment and health educational interventions