An Epilepsy Questionnaire Study of Knowledge and Attitudes in Community College Students.
Abstract number :
3.225
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
222
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
B. Young, MD, Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; S. Wiebe, MD, Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada; S. Matijevic, Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of W
RATIONALE: Several studies have identified societal problems with knowledge of epilepsy and acceptance of persons with epilepsy. We surveyed community college students for these and then examined the effect of an educational brochure on knowledge and attitudes.
METHODS: Two parts: 1. a standardized questionnaire surveyed knowledge and attitudes regarding epilepsy and persons with epilepsy, respectively; 2. application of questionnaire to one group that read an educational brochure and a matched group that did not. Variables examined for knowledge and attitudes: age, sex, educational program, having read about epilepsy, history of seizure, knowing someone with epilepsy and having witnessed a seizure.
RESULTS: Compliance [gt]99%. Part 1: 100 men and 91 women with mean age 22 (SD 5.4) years. Of 12 correct knowledge items, mean score was 4.3 (35.8%, SD 2.7) Only 28% knew the approximate prevalence of epilepsy; 64% did not know the causes of epilepsy. Although 87% knew seizures could be convulsive, [lt]50% knew they could be nonconvulsive. Only 7% were aware of AED teratogenicity. Attitudes were favorable (mean of 3.6/4 favorable responses, 90%, SD 0.7). Knowing others with epilepsy correlated with better knowlede scores (p=.005). Having read of epilepsy significantly related to positive attitudes (p=.011). Part 2: those 33 students who read brochure scored significantly better in knowledge items (mean 7.5/12, SD 2.4) than did those 26 who did not (mean 4.3, SD 2.2) (p.000). Attitudes between these groups did not differ (mean positive responses 3.7/4, 93% in both groups).
CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about epilepsy in a community college population was poor overall, but was better in those who knew someone with epilepsy and improved significantly with the educational brochure. Tolerant attitudes prevailed.