ABSTRACT
Background: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a persistent propensity to generate recurring epileptic seizures. Young adults such as university students can bridge the gap and improve attitudes toward patients with epilepsy and reduce stigma. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of university students in the city of Makkah about epilepsy. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at main universities in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted after getting approval from Umm Al-Qura University's ethics and research committee. A total of 394 participants were enrolled in the study, and a stratified random sampling (probability sampling) technique was used to select respondents. Results: The study included students with a mean age of 20.9 ± 4.6 (18-28 years), 271 (68.8%) students were females, 374 (94.9%) of the students agreed that epilepsy is not contagious, and 215 (54.6%) refused the impact of epilepsy on patients' marital status, relationships and fertility, respectively, 213 (54.1%) of the students reported that they feel scared to witness a seizure. About 334 (84.8%) respondents believed that epilepsy is an affliction, and 123 (31.2%) reported that they thought epilepsy was a supernatural phenomenon or black magic. Conclusion: The study concluded a satisfactory level of awareness among university students in Makkah related to dealing with patients with epilepsy. Further scientific studies will help build student's positive attitudes through simulation programs and interventional studies.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a common neurological disease. Patients with epilepsy are at risk of developing seizure at any time. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of health education on schoolteachers' first aid management of epileptic seizure. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to participating primary school teachers in the city of Makkah. It included baseline demographic data, a teacher's awareness about epilepsy, as well as first aid measures. An educational lecture was later delivered to teachers and was followed by a discussion. Awareness and attitude were re-assessed using the same questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 259 female primary school teachers completed the study. Before intervention, 134 (51.7%) of the teachers had good awareness regarding epilepsy, which was significantly increased to 86.9% after the intervention. For seizure first aid, 45.9% of teachers correctly reported that would make sure the person is safe and ask for help in the case of witnessing a seizure attack, which was improved to 84.2% after intervention, with a percent change of 38.2% (pâ¯=â¯0.001). In addition, rolling a person onto their side and asking for help after the end of a seizure was known by 53.3% of the teachers before the intervention and increased to 84.6% after the intervention, showing a percent change of 31.2% (pâ¯=â¯0.001). CONCLUSION: The health education program resulted in significant improvements to teachers' responses to seizure and improvements in all aspects of epilepsy awareness.
