Knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy in Saudi families

Parents' Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude Toward Children With Epilepsy in the Al Baha Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Epilepsy is a prevalent pediatric neurological disorder, with widespread implications globally. Parents' knowledge and attitudes toward their epileptic children play a pivotal role in the well-being and management of the condition. Despite its prevalence in Saudi Arabia, awareness and perceptions vary across communities. Objective This study aimed to assess parents' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward children with epilepsy in the Al Baha region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Al Baha region from November 2022 to January 2023. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed among 390 parents, targeting those aged 18-60 years. Results While the majority recognized that epilepsy is not contagious, misconceptions persisted. Nearly 67.7% of families lacked clarity on the causes of epilepsy. Most believed in the potential curability of epilepsy, favoring medication as the primary treatment. A significant association was identified between having an epileptic child and knowledge of seizure-first aid. The majority held an optimistic view regarding the academic and extracurricular achievements of epileptic children. Conclusion The study highlights a mix of informed and misinformed beliefs among parents in the Al Baha region. While many perspectives were encouraging, certain misconceptions underlined the need for continued awareness campaigns and educational initiatives. Addressing these gaps is essential for providing comprehensive care and inclusion of children with epilepsy in the community.

Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Status Epilepticus Among the Caregivers of Children With Epilepsy: An Interventional Study

Background Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common and well-known neurological emergencies in pediatrics, especially among kids under two years of age. Early identification and treatment are crucial in the prevention of neurological complications and morbidities. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention about SE among caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy. Methodology This interventional study was conducted among a convenient sample of 206 caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy in King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2020 to July 2021. We included patients who were aged 14 years or less and received rescue medication prescriptions in 2020. The educational intervention was applied to caregivers, and knowledge was compared before and after the intervention. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized. Results The mean (±SD) age of children was 7.5 (±3.7) years. The mean (±SD) age of caregivers was 36.4 (±6.1) years. About 51.5% of the children were males. The majority of caregivers were mothers (89.8%). The mean (±SD) score of total knowledge was 12.3/20 (±2.6) before the intervention which increased to 15.7/20 (±3.1) after the intervention, and the difference was found to be statically significant (p = 0.001). This indicates that the educational intervention was effective. Conclusions The educational intervention administered in this study significantly improved the knowledge of caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy and can help in providing better care to the patients.

Knowledge and awareness toward surgical treatment of epilepsy among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University

Objective

This study aims to evaluate knowledge and awareness toward surgical treatment of epilepsy among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University.

Methods

A survey composed of 10 questions was distributed to medical students concerning surgical neurological disorders. It was used to collect data from 401 samples. Questions addressed general knowledge of epilepsy surgery and drug-resistant epilepsy, students' attitude toward epilepsy surgery, and techniques. The chi-square test was utilized.

Results

The familiar surgical techniques were lobectomy (11.2%), followed by hemispherotomy (8.2%). The term "drug-resistant epilepsy" was known to 24.4%. More than half of the students 259 (64.6%) would refer patients with drug-resistant epilepsy to a neurosurgeon and neurologist, knowledge and awareness of epilepsy surgery were high for 30.7% of students. Statistically, significant relationship was observed between the level of awareness and academic years (p = 0.000131).

Conclusions

Medical students have a positive attitude toward epilepsy surgery. Students are less aware of drug resistance in epilepsy. Knowledge and awareness were better among students at higher levels. We conclude that highlighting the importance of epilepsy surgery should be continued. Moreover, additional educational effort should be invested in expressing the term drug-resistant epilepsy.

Epilepsy life skill education guidelines for primary school teachers and learners in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces, South Africa: Multiphase mixed methods protocol

Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. It may result from a genetic condition and occurs mainly in children, especially at a primary level. Most people living with Epilepsy suffer from stigma and discrimination because of a lack of knowledge regarding Epilepsy. This study aims to develop life skills education guidelines for primary school learners of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces to educate learners about Epilepsy, thus decreasing stigma and discrimination. A multimethod research approach will be used in this study to fulfil its purpose. Both stages 1 and 2 of the empirical phase (phase 1) will employ an exploratory-descriptive study design focusing on the primary school teachers, life skills educational advisors and learners to obtain their perceptions or views regarding the need to include Epilepsy in life skills education. Data will be collected using individual interviews for life skill educational advisors and focus group discussions for teachers and learners at the sampled primary schools in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Phase two will conceptualise the phase 1 findings into the conceptual framework, and phase 3 will develop and validate the life skills guideline. This study will adhere to both internal and external ethical considerations. Recommendations will be made based on the findings of the study.

Knowledge, perception and attitudes toward epilepsy among medical students at King Abdulaziz University

Introduction:

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by repetitive seizures which could occur in different forms depending on the site of brain disturbance. It has both psychological as well as social effects resulting in stigmatization and isolation of epileptic patients. Even though medical students are considered a role model of well-educated communities, previous studies showed that students lack the satisfactory knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy, so it is important to evaluate the concept of epilepsy and to measure awareness and attitudes toward epileptic patients among medical students of King Abdulaziz University. The aim of this study is to determine knowledge, perception and attitudes toward epilepsy among medical students at King Abdulaziz University.

Methods:

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 455 medical students from Faculty of medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Western region) through a web-based survey in July 2018. The survey is composed of many sections (demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes and practices toward epilepsy). The survey was applied as a Google form and the data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS for Windows, version 21.0. The chi-square test of independence was used for data analysis.

Results:

Four hundred thirty-six out of 455 students (98.5%) were aware about epilepsy. However, the level of knowledge varies depending on the educational level of these students, because 88.5% of the students responded that brain injury is the most common cause and 57.3% said it is a genetic disease, while 3.7% stated that it was due to evil spirit. As a treatment method, medication and God’s help were chosen by 95.8% and 57.8%, respectively. Objection to marry an epileptic patient was the most common negative attitude toward epileptics among the participants. Nonetheless, the overall attitude was found to be positive.

Conclusion:

King Abdulaziz University medical students have had some misunderstandings regarding causes, manifestations and treatment of epilepsy which could affect their attitudes toward epileptic individuals. Educational programs which include more clinical exposure to such common diseases are required to improve students’ impressions of these diseases.

Prevalence of epilepsy in Saudi pregnant women and possible effects of anti-epileptic drugs on pregnancy outcomes

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence of epilepsy in Saudi pregnant women and estimate the frequency of seizure types in suffering individuals using different anti-epileptic drug modalities. It also aimed to report the teratogenic effects of anti-epileptic drugs as observed in neonates.

Methods:

This prospective study was conducted at King Fahd University Hospital from June 2018 to July 2019. Sixty-eight pregnant women diagnosed with epilepsy were included in this study. Seizure types and their frequencies were recorded along with anti-epileptic drug therapies and their association with fetal/neonatal malformations.

Results:

Out of 68 epileptic pregnant females, 30 (44.1%) experienced focal seizures and 38 (55.9%) experienced generalized seizures. Thirty-nine (57.3%) received monotherapy, 21 (30.9%) received polytherapy and 8 (11.8%) did not take antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. Thirty-six (52.9%) patients experienced no change in seizure frequency during pregnancy, 19 (27.9%) experienced increase in seizure frequency and 13 (19.1%) showed decreased seizure frequency. The pregnancy outcomes analysis showed 2 (2.9%) intrauterine fetal deaths, whereas 4 (4.9%) neonates showed facial and/or organ malformations.

Conclusion:

The frequency of seizures was found to increase in only 27.9% of the pregnant women in the sample. Malformation and mortality rates were higher in fetuses/neonates of patients with generalized seizures. It was observed that for the patient group using monotherapy, the rate of healthy babies was higher than that of the group using polytherapy.