Characteristics of the knowledge and attitudes of parents about epilepsy

Knowledge, attitude, practice, needs, and implementation status of intensive care unit staff toward continuous renal replacement therapy: a survey of 66 hospitals in central and South China

BACKGROUND

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a commonly utilized form of renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the intensive care unit (ICU). A specialized CRRT team (SCT, composed of physicians and nurses) engage playing pivotal roles in administering CRRT, but there is paucity of evidence-based research on joint training and management strategies. This study armed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of ICU staff toward CRRT, and to identify education pathways, needs, and the current status of CRRT implementation.

METHODS

This study was performed from February 6 to March 20, 2023. A self-made structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics, T-tests, Analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple linear regression, and Pearson correlation coefficient tests (α = 0.05) were employed.

RESULTS

A total of 405 ICU staff from 66 hospitals in Central and South China participated in this study, yielding 395 valid questionnaires. The mean knowledge score was 51.46 ± 5.96 (61.8% scored highly). The mean attitude score was 58.71 ± 2.19 (73.9% scored highly). The mean practice score was 18.15 ± 0.98 (85.1% scored highly). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that gender, age, years of CRRT practice, ICU category, and CRRT specialist panel membership independently affected the knowledge score; Educational level, years of CRRT practice, and CRRT specialist panel membership independently affected the attitude score; Education level and teaching hospital employment independently affected the practice score. The most effective method for ICU staff to undergo training and daily work experience is within the department.

CONCLUSION

ICU staff exhibit good knowledge, a positive attitude and appropriately practiced CRRT. Extended CRRT practice time in CRRT, further training in a general ICU or teaching hospital, joining a CRRT specialist panel, and upgraded education can improve CRRT professional level. Considering the convenience of training programs will enhance ICU staff participation. Training should focus on basic CRRT principles, liquid management, and alarm handling.

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.

Evaluation of the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward epilepsy among nurses

BACKGROUND

The standard of care provided to patients with chronic epilepsy might be affected by clinical nurses' understanding, awareness, and attitudes toward the condition. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes toward chronic epilepsy among clinical nurses in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, China.

METHODS

Two hundred and thirty-eight nurses from the neurosurgery, neurology, epilepsy center, other internal medicine and other surgery department working at our hospital participated in this descriptive and cross-sectional study in 2022. The data were collected through an electronic questionnaire, which comprised four domains including demographic and clinical epilepsy-related questions, awareness of epilepsy section, 18 items for knowledge and a 15-item scale for attitudes. Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, post hoc analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the non-normal distribution of the dataset.

RESULTS

The clinical nurses' average score on the awareness of epilepsy section was 14.93 ± 2.69 (maximum score: 20), the knowledge of epilepsy section scored 15.41 ± 2.30 (maximum score: 18), and the epilepsy attitude section scored 30.65 ± 7.40. The knowledge and awareness accuracy of the responses to the epilepsy-related questions were positively and significantly correlated (r = 0.251, p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model found that the department (p < 0.001) and rank (p = 0.015) of nurses were independently associated with awareness toward epilepsy. Meanwhile, there was a statistically significant difference between the departments of nurses and accuracy on the Epilepsy Knowledge Scale (H = 18.340, p < 0.001). In addition, 92.77% of nurses agreed that people with chronic epilepsy have the same rights as all people. Unfortunately, over 30% of nurses maintained an uncertain attitude toward the employment, marriage, and emotion related to epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that nurses had a general awareness and understanding of epilepsy, attitudes toward epilepsy. Specifically, nurses working in the Neurology Department and the Epilepsy Center were predisposed to have a considerably better level of awareness and knowledge of epilepsy. Additionally, as their understanding of epilepsy grew, so did their sensitivity to those who suffer from the condition. The study also recommends that epilepsy experts deliver additional lectures and training sessions to enhance nurses' knowledge of first-aid for seizures.

Knowledge of and Attitude towards Epilepsy among the Jordanian Community

Background: Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurring seizures that do not have an immediate identifiable cause. It is a disorder with complex symptoms and a wide range of risk factors, with age, genetics, and origin being the most prevalent variations. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude towards epilepsy among the Jordanian community. Method: An online cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted between 29 March and 15 May 2022 in Jordan. In this study, three previously validated questionnaire items were adapted and employed. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of good knowledge and a positive attitude. Results: A total of 689 participants were involved in this study. A weak level of knowledge about epilepsy was observed among the study participants (35.3%). The participants showed a moderately positive attitude towards epilepsy (63.3%). Being female, holding a bachelor’s degree, knowing anyone who had epilepsy and seeing anyone having an epileptic seizure were factors that positively affected participants’ knowledge about epilepsy. Being aged between 24 and 29 years or being divorced were factors that affected the participants’ attitudes negatively towards epilepsy. Conclusion: The study’s participants had limited knowledge of epilepsy and a favorable attitude toward it. The community’s understanding of epilepsy and attitude toward epilepsy patients should be improved by an informed educational effort on the part of various media platforms. All facets of the community, including parents, should be the focus of these initiatives.

Persistent knowledge gaps between 2005 and 2020 in women with epilepsy: Comparison of multicenter studies from Germany

OBJECTIVE

Epilepsy is a chronic condition that can affect patients of all ages. Women with epilepsy (WWE) require access to specific counseling and information regarding issues related to contraception, pregnancy, and hormonal effects on seizure control and bone mineral density. This study investigated the knowledge among WWE regarding their condition, and whether epilepsy-specific knowledge has improved over the last 15 years.

METHODS

A total of 280 WWE aged 18 to 82 years participated in this multicenter, questionnaire-based study. The study was conducted at four epilepsy centers in Germany, between October 2020 and December 2020. Sociodemographic and epilepsy-specific data for participating women were analyzed and compared with the results of a similar survey performed in 2003-2005 among 365 WWE in Germany.

RESULTS

The questionnaire-based survey revealed considerable knowledge deficits without significant improvements over the last 15 years, particularly among those with less education and with regards to information on the more pronounced effects of epilepsy in older WWE (>50 years), including interactions with menopause and osteoporosis. In WWE ≤29 years, a significant increase in the knowledge score was observed in 2020 compared with this age group in 2005 (mean 7.42 vs. 6.5, p = .036). Mothers frequently reported epilepsy-related concerns regarding childrearing, particularly of seizures scaring their child and the need to rely on other people.

CONCLUSION

WWE continue to demonstrate inadequate epilepsy-related knowledge. Despite increasing information availability and the aspiration toward better awareness among medical professionals, overall knowledge has not increased sufficiently compared with the levels observed in recent studies.

An evaluation of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of parents regarding epilepsy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes toward people with epilepsy can influence measures taken to manage epilepsy and seizures. The support and understanding of parents of children with epilepsy are invaluable in helping develop ordinary living skills. To determine the educational needs of parents of children with epilepsy, their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors should be evaluated. Therefore, we interviewed parents who had a child with epilepsy who was treated at the pediatric neurology clinic of a university hospital. We aimed to evaluate parents' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward children with epilepsy to determine their educational needs.

METHODS

This descriptive study included 221 parents of children with epilepsy who applied to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Medical Faculty Hospital. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Pearson and exact chi-square tests were used for analysis.

RESULTS

In the present study, 221 parents were interviewed. A total of 66.5% of the participants were at the primary education level. The rate of participants who preferred healthcare professionals as a source of information about epilepsy was 78.9%. Forty-eight percent of the parents did not see consanguineous marriage as a reason. While some parents stated that epilepsy was supernatural, others had no idea whether it was contagious or not, and 46.2% of the participants stated that epilepsy is not a hereditary disease. The rate of those who tried nonphysician treatment was 16.3%. The rate of participants who thought that drinking alcohol would not trigger seizures was 86.9%. It was determined that 30.8% of the participants pulled the patient's tongue out during seizures. 16.7% of participants thought that patients with epilepsy were disabled. 50.7% of the participants stated that their children with epilepsy could do any profession.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study documented parents' lack of knowledge about epilepsy. Many parents have significant misunderstandings, negative attitudes, and parenting practices, and their knowledge and understanding of epilepsy needs to be improved.

Knowledge and Fears of Parents of Children Diagnosed with Epilepsy

PURPOSE

Describe the knowledge and fears of parents of children diagnosed with epilepsy in the hospital and clinic settings.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Descriptive, comparative study design. Knowledge was measured with the 16-item Epilepsy Knowledge Scale and epilepsy-related fears was operationalized by the Epilepsy-related Fears in Parents Questionnaire (EFPQ) addressing short and long-term fears. The sample included 40 parents of children diagnosed with epilepsy who were cared for on a pediatric ortho/neuro hospital unit (N = 27) or pediatric neurology clinic (N = 13).

RESULTS

Parents were middle aged adults (mean 39 years), mostly mothers with 80% college education. Their children ranged in ages from less than one to 18 years of age (Mean = 8.5) across a variety of ethnic backgrounds who were most often diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age (<1 year to 3 years). Percentage of correct answers ranged from 31% (5 correct) to 100% (16 correct); mean 12 correct or 75%. Subjects/parents were afraid! They had many fears: Short-term (possible range 8-40) with responses ranging from 9 to 40 (mean 28); Future/long-term (possible range 9-45) ranging from 9 to 45 (mean 32). They were afraid when their child is in the care of others - something might happen, and their child could die during a seizure. There was no statistically significant difference in responses between hospital or clinic parents.

DISCUSSION

Parents who participated in this study were knowledgeable but fearful with immediate and long term concerns.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Nurses need to provide verbal and written education materials. Address triggers. Talk to parents about their fears related to epilepsy. Identify parental support. Validate parents' skills in knowing what to do when their child has a seizure.

Attitudes of individuals in Eastern Turkey toward epilepsy and the factors associated with these attitudes

AIM

This study was performed to analyze the attitudes of individuals in eastern Turkey toward epilepsy and the factors associated with these attitudes.

METHODS

Designed as a cross-sectional descriptive study, this study was performed from January 28 to February 8, 2021. A snowball sampling technique was used to select the study sample, and a survey was sent online to individuals aged 18 or above. A total of 617 individuals who filled in this online survey form were included in this research. Data were collected via a personal information form and the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mean scores of the participants on the PATE scale, on its general domain, and on its personal domain were 1.79±0.63, 1.70±0.63, and 1.96±0.77, respectively. Comparing the participants' mean PATE scale scores on the basis of their descriptive characteristics revealed statistically significant differences in the mean scores on the scale and its two domains in terms of age, place of residence, educational level, knowing anyone who had epilepsy or experienced epileptic seizures, and witnessing a person having an epileptic seizure (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Individuals living in eastern Turkey have positive attitudes toward epilepsy. Moreover, it was found that, among all the participants, those who were relatively young, those who lived in a provincial center, those who had a relatively high educational level, those who knew an individual with epilepsy, and those who had witnessed an epileptic seizure have more positive attitudes toward epilepsy than their counterparts.

IMPLICATIONS

It is recommended to design educational programs focusing on raising the level of public awareness and knowledge regarding epilepsy.