ABSTRACT
Background: Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition. The definition of epilepsy requires the occurrence of at least one epileptic seizure
Aim of the Study: To asses and evaluate general population understanding, knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy and epileptic patients
Methods: It's a cross-sectional randomized study conducted in Kingdome of Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire designed to survey public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy that posted online and distributed to the public. Estimated about 1000 cases and the statistical package SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis
Result: 20.2% of the participants have a family member with Epilepsy. When asked if they can define Epilepsy; [39.6%] from the Southern region believe that they can, followed by the rest of the regions with similar percentages. 40.3% of female participants knew the causes of epilepsy and also 40.3% of males. The western region was leading with 29% knowing the causes of Epilepsy. [30.4%] of females knew how to handle a seizing patient while only [22.4%] of males knew how. The Western region had the highest positive response [31.5%]. A high percentage of Males [81.2%] did not think that there're different levels of Epilepsy while only [4.3%] of females agree on that. Most the responses received from males [43.6%], females [43.6%] and by regional division; [40%] West, [49%] South, [41.8%] North, [45.5%] Centre, [47.1%] East, agreed that epilepsy isn't a genetic disorder. [36.5%] of females did not think that epilepsy affects the brain function; [29.1%] of males, [34.9%] West, [37.8%] Central, [41.4%] East, [34.5%] North and [22.9%] South had the same opinion
Conclusion: we noticed that the awareness and attitudes of the Saudi public toward epilepsy is less than expected especially from college students. We plan to target all our community from the different level of education and regions for more education in order to lower this stigma of epilepsy