Attitudes toward epilepsy among the primary and secondary school teachers in Malaysia, using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale

Impact of problem-based learning on stigma toward epilepsy among medical students: An intervention verification study

INTRODUCTION

Stigma toward epilepsy is widespread not only among the general population but also among healthcare professionals. Therefore, the necessity of providing educational opportunities for epilepsy from an early stage in student education has been emphasized. Recently, problem-based learning (PBL) has gained importance in higher education, with reports indicating that it not only enhances knowledge but also reduces stigma.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an epilepsy-related problem-based learning (E-PBL) program on medical students' stigma toward epilepsy. Additionally, we assessed whether the E-PBL program improved medical students' knowledge of epilepsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Participants were fourth-year medical students. The E-PBL program was conducted over 5 days, from July 3, 2023 to July 7, 2023. The outcomes included the Japanese version of the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE-J) scale, which was used to assess stigma toward epilepsy before and after the E-PBL program. We also administered a short, structured questionnaire to assess participants' knowledge of epilepsy.

RESULTS

In total, 112 students were examined. The total PATE-J score was significantly lower after E-PBL (median: 18; interquartile range [IQR]: 14-20) than before PBL (median: 19; IQR: 16-23) (p = 0.013). Additionally, the number of correct responses to the short, structured questionnaire after the E-PBL program was significantly higher than before the program (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

E-PBL programs have the potential to decrease stigma toward epilepsy while enhancing knowledge about epilepsy among medical students. E-PBL represents a novel educational approach for medical students in the context of epilepsy education.

Epilepsy Smart Schools: Educational intervention improves knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding epilepsy among school teachers

INTRODUCTION

Discrimination and stigma associated with epilepsy in schools impact the academic and mental aptitude of children with epilepsy. Teachers pre-sensitized to seizures exhibit a positive attitude along with better knowledge about epilepsy. The aim was to assess the impact of an interactive one-day educational workshop regarding epilepsy on the prevalent knowledge, attitude, and practices toward epilepsy among school teachers.

METHODS

Conducted in December 2021 in a tertiary care teaching hospital of rural background in Northern India, this cross-sectional study included school teachers from government schools of Faridkot district of Punjab. The intervention consisted of a one-day interactive workshop on epilepsy and school health consisting of 100 minutes of lectures (4 lectures each of 25 minutes), 60 minutes of role plays, and 20 minutes of active discussion with participants (5 minutes after each session). The lectures were prepared using World Health Organization's Mental Health Gap (WHO's mhGAP) guidelines and elucidated knowledge regarding epilepsy and skills to provide first aid to seizures. School teachers were assessed on a pre and post-test structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge of, attitude, and practices regarding epilepsy before and immediately after the intervention.

RESULTS

Two hundred and thirty teachers participated and the majority were from government primary schools, mean age was 43 ± 7 years and females (n = 121,53%) outnumbered males. Commonly reported sources of information regarding epilepsy by school teachers were family and friends (n = 91,40%) followed by social (n = 82, 36%) and public media (n = 81,35%), and the least common were doctors (n = 56,24%) and healthcare workers (n = 29, 13%). Fifty-six percent (n = 129) had witnessed seizures in either a stranger(n = 84,37%), family, or friend (n = 31,13%) and student of their class(n = 14,6%). Post-educational intervention, significant improvement was seen in the knowledge of and attitude regarding epilepsy including recognizing subtle features of epilepsy like blank stare (pre/post = 5/34) and transient change in behavior (pre/post = 16/32), non-contagiousness of epilepsy (pre/post = 158/187)and belief that children with epilepsy have normal intelligence (pre/post = 161/191) and a significant decrease in a number of teachers who thought that they need more time and attention in class (pre/post = 181/131). Post-educational sessions, significantly more number of teachers would allow children with epilepsy in their classroom (pre/post = 203/227), follow correct ways to provide first aid for seizures, and would allow their participation in all extracurricular activities even in high-risk outdoor games like swimming (pre/post = 4/36) and deep sea diving (pre/post = 7/18).

CONCLUSION

The educational intervention had a positive impact on the knowledge, practices, and attitude regarding epilepsy but had a few, unexpected reverse effects as well. A single workshop may not be aptly adequate to provide accurate information regarding epilepsy. Sustained efforts in this direction are needed at the national and global level to develop the concept of "Epilepsy Smart Schools".

Attitudes toward epilepsy in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Indonesia is the largest island country in the world with diverse ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. This study aimed to understand the variation in attitudes toward epilepsy among the Javanese, Sundanese, and the Minahasa ethnic groups in Indonesia.

METHOD

This study recruited Sundanese from Tasikmalaya and Minahasan from Manado using the Indonesian Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. The results were compared to the Javanese and Malaysian data in previous studies.

RESULT

A total of 200 respondents, 100 from each ethnic group were recruited, with a mean age of 38.51 years. They were predominantly females (54%) and had secondary education level or lower (56.67%). The Javanese had a higher total mean score, indicating poorer attitudes toward epilepsy, as compared to the Minahasan and Sundanese groups. These differences were noted in the personal domain, but not the general domain. There were no significant differences in the mean scores in both personal and general domains between the Minahasan, Sundanese, and Malaysian populations. Subanalysis on the aspects of life showed that the Javanese had a significantly higher score in the aspects of education, marital relationship, and employment.

CONCLUSION

The attitudes toward epilepsy were similar between the Indonesian (Sundanese and the Minahasan) and Malaysian, except the Javanese with poorer attitude. These differences could be socioeconomically or culturally related.

Perceptions associated with the public attitudes toward epilepsy (PATE) scale: A mixed-method study

BACKGROUND

In epilepsy stigma, certain perceptions are culturally dependent and greatly influence a person's attitudes. Hence, we aimed to explore the perceptions associated with attitudes toward epilepsy in various urban subpopulations.

METHOD

This is a mixed-method study employing the Public Attitude Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale as the quantitative measure, followed by a semi-structured interview. The qualitative data were then counted and analyzed concurrently with the quantitative data.

RESULT

A total of 410 respondents (104 people with epilepsy [PWE]; 104 family members [FM]; 100 medical students [MS]; 102 public [Pb]) aged 37 years (IQR 23-55) were recruited. They were mostly female (57.3%), Chinese (52.0%), and highly educated (63.7%). The attitudes toward epilepsy among medical students are the best, followed by the PWE and their family members, and the worst among the public. The qualitative results revealed 4 main themes, which were "general social values", "epilepsy severity and control", "PWE's abilities", and "harms and burdens to the respondents and others". A two-dimensional perception model was constructed based on these themes, which consisted of general-personal and universal-specific dimensions. Generally, the PWE/FM subgroup focused more on PWE's abilities, whereas the MS/Pb subgroup more on general social values, and harms and burden. In the education aspect, most attitudes were related to the epilepsy severity and PWE's abilities, whereas in employment, the main consideration was the PWE's abilities. Burden to life and concern about inheritance were major considerations in the marital relationship. Those with positive attitudes tend to highlight the importance of general social values, while negative attitudes associated more with epilepsy severity. In general domain, general social values were the main considering factor but in personal domain, most participants will consider epilepsy severity and control, harms and burden to themselves.

CONCLUSION

The perceptions underlying attitudes toward epilepsy were complex and varied between subpopulations, attitude levels, domains, and aspects of life. (304 words).

Attitudes toward epilepsy in East Malaysia using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy stigma is an important issue affecting people with epilepsy (PWE) in various social aspects of life. Most studies on stigma were among the metropolitan population but rarely on indigenous people. Hence, this study aimed to understand the attitudes toward epilepsy of the East Malaysians, comparing with the West Malaysians previously reported.

METHOD

This study was performed among the indigenous people in Kuching and Sibu (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) using the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale. A higher score indicates poorer attitude.

RESULT

A total of 360 respondents (41.7% Kadazan-Dusun, 30.6% Bidayuh, and 24.7% Iban) aged 34.6 ± 12.6 years completed the questionnaire. They were predominantly females and had lower education level and income compared with the West Malaysians. The Sabah population had significantly lower mean scores (better attitudes) than those in Sarawak, in both personal and general domains (p < .001). As compared with West Malaysia, the mean score in the personal domain was significantly lower in Sabah, while Sarawak had significantly higher scores in general domain (p < .001). Subanalysis showed that the Sabah population had better attitudes toward marriage and employment in PWE than the West Malaysians, whereas Sarawak had poorer attitudes toward education and social contact in PWE.

CONCLUSION

The attitudes toward epilepsy were different among the indigenous populations in Sabah and Sarawak, and from the West Malaysians, which could be attributable to their sociocultural differences.

Teachers and epilepsy: What they know, do not know, and need to know: A cross-sectional study of Taif City

Objective

The main aim of this study was to assess schoolteachers' knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy in Taif City, in the western region of Saudi Arabia.

Method

A structured 28-item questionnaire was distributed to and collected from 290 schoolteachers between November 2017 and November 2018 in Taif City.

Results

Generally, a negative attitude toward epilepsy was observed in this study. Of the 290 schoolteachers in this study, 80% had prior knowledge regarding epilepsy and 72% had witnessed a seizure. Only 2% of the participants expressed the thought that epilepsy is contagious but 59% of them expressed the thought that epilepsy is a mental disease. With respect to attitude, 64% of the participants reported that they would not approve of their daughter/son marrying someone with epilepsy. This attitude correlates with age and marital status as the prevalence of this attitude was higher among those who were either over 40 years old or married (P < 0.05). Although 73% of the participants stated that they know the correct management procedure to follow when helping an epilepsy patient during a seizure, inadequate practices are still performed by many. Finally, almost two-thirds of the respondents (66%) expressed the opinion that top-ranking professions are not suitable for people with epilepsy. This belief was twice as common among older respondents as it was among younger respondents (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

This study concludes that schoolteachers' knowledge regarding epilepsy is limited and that an immediate intervention through educational campaigns is required to develop a well-informed community.

Indonesian Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale: Translation and psychometric evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Epilepsy stigma has been associated with poor quality of life among people with epilepsy (PWE). It is important to understand the variation and degree of epilepsy stigma in one of the most populous and culturally diverse nations in the world, Indonesia. Hence, this study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale.

METHOD

The translation was performed according to standard principles and tested in 200 native Indonesian speakers who were aged above 18-year-old for psychometric validation.

RESULTS

The items in each domain had similar means and standard deviations (equal item variance), means ranging from 2.17 to 2.86 in general domain and 2.75 to 3.56 in personal domain and, standard deviations ranging from 0.87 to 1.05 and 0.88 to 1.01 in general and personal domain, respectively. Item-domain correlations were more than 0.5 for all items, and they correlate higher within their own domain compare with the other domain (convergent and divergent validity). Multitrait analysis showed similar variance, floor, and ceiling patterns to a great extent compared with the initial study. The Indonesian PATE scale also showed mostly similar correlation with demographic characteristics except monthly income. Principle axis analysis revealed strong factor loading (>0.3) in their hypothesized domain, except item 14. The Cronbach's α values for general and personal domains were 0.836 and 0.765, which were within the accepted range of 0.7 to 0.9.

CONCLUSION

The Indonesian PATE scale is a validated and reliable translation for measuring public attitudes toward epilepsy.

Awareness and attitudes toward persons with epilepsy among teachers: A Moroccan study

PURPOSE

Many studies performed in Morocco showed an important lack of knowledge about epilepsy among persons with epilepsy and their families. The misconceptions about the disease are a source of suffering for both patients and their families and increase the costs of epilepsy care. We conducted this investigation for assessing the origins of misinterpretation of the disease in the Moroccan society.

OBJECTIVES

The teachers' knowledge about epilepsy in the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco and their attitudes toward a person with epilepsy constitute the two major objectives of this study. We also assessed the impact of sociocultural parameters on Moroccan teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward a person with epilepsy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The data collection was based on the "Attitudes Toward Persons with Epilepsy" (ATPE) test.

RESULTS

The study showed a positive correlation between the level of teachers' knowledge of epilepsy and their attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. The results revealed the persistence of negative attitudes toward a person with epilepsy among teachers. The level of ATPE of teachers in Morocco was lower compared to high-middle income countries.

CONCLUSION

There is still poor knowledge about epilepsy among teachers in Morocco. This unawareness is negatively affecting teachers' attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. Hence, we recommend integrating epilepsy in teaching and training programs of teachers in the Moroccan educational system.

WITHDRAWN: Teachers and epilepsy: What they know, do not know, and need to know: A cross-sectional study of Taif City

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Investigation into attitudes toward epilepsy among non-/neurological doctors and nurses in southern China

PURPOSE

To assess attitudes concerning epilepsy among non-/neurological medical personnel from basic-level hospitals in southern China and identify significant predictive factors for future stigma reduction interventions.

METHOD

The Chinese Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (CPATE) scale was administered to 184 neurological and 264 non-neurological medical staff members from basic-level hospitals in southern China. Positively stated items in the PATE scale were reversely scored; in this case, a higher score would indicate a more negative attitude.

RESULTS

The mean score of each item among the neurological group was statistically lower than that of the non-neurological group. The mean scores in both the general and personal domains of the CPATE scale were significantly lower among the doctors as compared to nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first study to evaluate the attitudes toward epilepsy among medical personnel with different characteristics in basic-level hospitals in China. Health education can be a new model for stigma-reducing public interventions in China. Future strategies should first focus on improving access to correct knowledge about epilepsy among non-neurological medical staffs. This would be a vital breakthrough point to improve attitudes toward epilepsy in the whole society to help ease the disease burden on people with epilepsy, their families and the community in the years to come.

Knowledge, attitudes and practice towards epilepsy among medical staff in Southern China: Does the level of hospitals make a difference?

PURPOSE

To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) toward epilepsy among medical staff from different levels of hospitals in Southern China.

METHOD

An adapted and structured questionnaire was administered to medical personnel from tertiary (n = 451) and basic-level (n = 448) hospitals in Southern China. The questionnaire comprised of three domains which consisted of 6 items for awareness, 12 items for knowledge and a 14 item scale for attitudes.

RESULTS

Almost 40% of medical staff in basic-level hospitals held that epilepsy could be caused by evil spirits/eyes, or transmitted from other patients, which was almost 6 times higher than that of tertiary hospitals. The mean score from general knowledge about epilepsy was higher among medical staff in tertiary hospitals than in basic-level hospitals. The mean scores in the general and personal domain of the Chinese Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (CPATE) scale were both significantly lower among medical staff in tertiary hospitals, when compared to those of basic-level hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall KAP from medical staff in response to seizures, was found to be better in tertiary hospitals than those of basic-level hospitals in Southern China, which was associated with the education level and impact of traditional culture. To date, there is a need for effective public intervention programs in China to improve the awareness of epilepsy and reduce discrimination among medical workers, especially for those working in basic-level hospitals in rural regions, to finally promote a better living environment for patients with epilepsy in China.

What Saudi teachers know about epilepsy: A cross-sectional study of Tabuk City

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to evaluate awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of teachers toward the disease in Tabuk City in north Saudi Arabia and identify areas in which training and education are required.

METHOD

Data were collected from 349 school teachers using a structured 28-item questionnaire. Data were collected between December 2017 and May 2018 in Tabuk City.

RESULTS

In general, the study shows a negative trend in knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy. The majority of the participants (84%) have read or heard about epilepsy, and more than half (67%) had witnessed a seizure. Epilepsy was considered contagious and psychological by 1.7% and 56%, respectively. Regarding attitude, 68% would not approve a son/daughter marriage to a person with epilepsy. This attitude correlates to the level of education as the percentage is higher for those who hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree, p < 0.05. Even though 84% of the participants reported knowing how to help a patient during a seizure, the majority of the participants had incorrect procedures, holding the legs and arms and believing that smelling onions is helpful to end the seizure. Moreover, almost half of the participants (46%) believed that a person with epilepsy cannot be successful in high-ranking professions. This belief was found to be more common in females than their counterparts, p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

School teachers' knowledge about epilepsy needs improvement. A focus on educational interventions about epilepsy are needed to develop a well-informed and tolerant community.

Attitudes toward epilepsy among medical staffs in basic-level hospitals from southern China

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of the study were to assess attitudes toward epilepsy among medical staffs from basic-level hospitals in southern China and identify significant predictive factors for future stigma reduction interventions.

METHODS

The Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale, a two dimensional 14-item scale addressing two major domains: general domain and personal domain, was administered to 448 medical staffs from basic-level hospitals in southern China. Positively stated items in the PATE scale were reversely scored; in this case, a higher score would indicate a more negative attitude. Also, we compared the overall score and per-item scores of the medical staffs versus those of the general population reported in the previous studies using the same scale.

RESULTS

The cumulative score of the medical staffs was 41.65 ± 6.99, which is significantly lower as compared with 51.38 ± 6.80 of the general population (t (645) = -16.473, p < 0.001). The general average score (t (645) = -16.473, p < 0.001) and the mean score in the general domain (t (645) = -22.573, p < 0.001) of the PATE scale were both significantly lower in the medical staffs compared with the general population, whereas there was no significant difference between the two groups in the personal domain (t(645) = -0.180, p = 0.857). Age or years in clinical practice, specialty, and title had a significant impact on both the general domain and personal domain. Residence was the only factor found affecting the medical staffs' attitudes toward epilepsy in the personal domain but not in the general domain.

CONCLUSION

Medical staffs from basic-level hospitals in southern China demonstrate significant positive attitudes toward people with epilepsy in general aspects when compared with the general population. However, they still showed negative and conservative attitudes when it comes to the personal domain. Future strategies for stigma-reducing public interventions could focus on increasing better understanding of epilepsy among medical staffs in basic-level hospitals in China.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers: A systematic review

The objective of this study was to systematically review research that has focused on knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers. Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane library databases from 2000 to 2017 were searched. Cross-sectional and interventional studies were included and analyzed for quality. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes in the results. Fifty-four eligible studies (17,256 total participants in 27 different countries) were identified in the search period including seven studies that focused on assessing attitudes and knowledge before and after an educational intervention. It was not possible to systematically analyze levels of knowledge and nature of attitudes because of the wide variety of mostly bespoke study specific instruments used. Few studies employed valid and reliable instruments. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes in the results: 1.) deficits in knowledge and negative attitudes were pervasive across all studies; 2.) teachers often had a negative attitude towards participation of children with epilepsy in physical activities/sport; and 3.) teachers often expressed limited knowledge of seizure management/emergency procedures. There was a lower level of knowledge and more negative attitudes among teachers towards epilepsy compared with other conditions. All studies focusing on interventions showed that at least some aspects of knowledge and attitudes improved as a result of teacher participation in an educational intervention, but study quality was universally rated as low. A higher level of education and experience of teaching a child with epilepsy was significantly associated with greater knowledge in a number of studies. Additionally, having experience of teaching a child with epilepsy and greater assessed knowledge of epilepsy were associated with more positive attitudes. The wide range of methods used makes it difficult to generalize regarding level of attitudes and knowledge among teachers towards epilepsy. Nevertheless, all studies indicate that there are some deficits in knowledge of and negative attitudes towards epilepsy among teachers. It would appear that knowledge and attitudes can be improved by educational interventions. Future research should focus on developing psychometrically sound assessment instruments that can be used globally and on identifying the most effective ways of delivering efficacious educational initiatives employing robust study designs.

Knowledge, attitudes, and first-aid measures about epilepsy among primary school teachers in northern Iran

OBJECTIVE

To assess knowledge, attitudes, and first-aid measures about epilepsy among primary school teachers.

METHOD

This cross-sectional study was conducted with participation of 342 primary school teachers during September 2016 to January 2017 in cities of Babol and Qaem-Shahr in Mazandaran Province in northern Iran. Primary schools were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected through interviews using a structured questionnaire. The knowledge section included general knowledge, causes, symptoms, seizure triggers, first-aid measures, and recommended treatments. The Likert scale was used for the attitudes section. Answers about first-aid measures were categorized as helpful or harmful.

RESULTS

The level of total knowledge score of 25 (7.7%) teachers was very high, 140 (43.3%) high, 141 (43.8%) moderate, and 17 (5.2%) low. The mean score about general knowledge was as follows: 6.1 (1.9), range = 0-9; causes 6.3 (1.9), range = 0-10; symptoms of seizures 8.5 (2.5), range = 0-12; and first-aid measures 6.8 (2.0), range = 0-11. Some 83% knew not taking anticonvulsants regularly could trigger seizures, and all teachers said a person with epilepsy should go see a physician. Attitudes were generally positive except for marriage and having children. The level of first-aid measures score of 8 (7.2) teachers was very high, 79 (70.5) high, 25 (22.3) low. Teachers with teaching experience at special schools took more helpful measures CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of teachers about epilepsy was insufficient, attitudes toward people with epilepsy were generally positive, and first-aid measures at the last witnessed seizure were fairly helpful. Having teaching experience in special schools had a positive influence over knowledge and taking appropriate first-aid measure at time of the last witnessed seizure.

Validation of the Chinese version of public attitudes toward epilepsy scale in Mainland China

PURPOSE

Epilepsy is a significant yet seriously underappreciated public health issue in Mainland China. The stigma and discrimination toward people with epilepsy (PWE) and their families are especially severe in China based on cultural misconceptions which cause tremendous psychological, economic and social burdens. It is imperative to formulate a targeted public intervention to eliminate knowledge gaps and correct these misconceptions of epilepsy. However, to date, the essential tools that may drive such an intervention by measuring the public perspective on PWEs is lacking in China. The goal of this study is to test the reliability and validity of a Simplified Chinese version of the "Public Attitude Toward Epilepsy" scale (PATE) in Mainland China which can be used to understand the content and identify the possible sources of stigma to better inform the design and focus of future stigma reduction interventions.

METHODS

The standard procedure of cross-cultural adaptation was used in the translation process. Subjects from different economic and social backgrounds were enrolled by convenience sampling in central China. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to check the underlying factor structure of the items. Furthermore, Cronbach's alpha was utilized to assess internal consistency.

RESULTS

199 respondents were included in the final analysis. Content validity of this Chinese PATE was assessed to be adequate for assessing public attitudes toward epilepsy among the mainland Chinese. Two factors were extracted from the data by exploratory factor analysis; confirmatory factor analysis further confirmed good consistency of theoretical constructs between the original Public Attitudes Toward Epilepsy scale and our Chinese PATE. Our Chinese PATE presented excellent internal consistency (α=0.853-0.909).

CONCLUSION

This version of the Chinese PATE showed acceptable psychometric properties, indicating that it can be implemented in surveying public attitudes toward epilepsy in Mainland China.

Attitudes towards people with epilepsy in Moscow

PURPOSE

To assess the knowledge and attitudes in Moscow towards people with epilepsy (PWE).

METHODS

Data were collected from 1167 adults, permanent residents of Moscow, who were interviewed. A 10-item questionnaire was used addressing three major domains: familiarity with epilepsy (2 questions), understanding of epilepsy (5 questions), and attitude towards the PWE (3 questions). Results were standardized to the Moscow population.

RESULTS

The study population was generally well informed about epilepsy. About 80% "has heard" of epilepsy; however, personal acquaintance with PWE was reported by less than half of the study participants. The level of understanding of the disease and its etiology was quite low. About 60% of the survey participants believed that epilepsy was a type of mental retardation. One-third (34%) of respondents were afraid to stay in the proximity of PWE. Only 38% of the survey participants considered epilepsy to be curable; men significantly less frequently than women. Overall, the level of understanding of epilepsy was proportional to the level of education of respondents. Negative attitudes towards PWE were demonstrated in a significant part of the population. Almost half of the respondents would object to their child playing or studying with a child who has epilepsy and more than half (57%) were against the marriage of their daughter or son to a person with epilepsy. Two-fifths of the respondents ranked epilepsy as the "least preferred" of the six chronic diseases for a colleague.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study on awareness and attitudes to PWE in the adult population of Moscow. The study demonstrated that the general public is familiar with epilepsy, but has a rather low level of understanding of essential aspects of the disease. There is an overall high level of negative attitudes towards PWE in Russia, creating a need for targeted interventions. These results reinforced the importance of public education in reducing the stigma of epilepsy.

Teachers' knowledge about epilepsy in Greece: Information sources and attitudes towards children with epilepsy during school time

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore the sources of information for the educators in Greek primary and secondary schools with regard to epilepsy, first aid to seizures, and pupils' health conditions.

METHOD

A semistructured anonymous 52-item questionnaire was sent to 100 public primary and secondary Greek schools from all districts. Two thousand thirty-seven teachers were approached; 446 questionnaires returned. The data were analyzed with SPSS20. Also, 70 head teachers were phone-interviewed with an open-ended unstructured questionnaire. The derived data were analyzed using mixed methodology.

RESULTS

Twenty-two percent of the addressed educational community responded to the questionnaire, mostly women (66.6%). More responses came from urban areas (71.5%). The main source for the teachers to obtain information about epilepsy was found to be personal experience (37.75%) and internet (34.93%). Only a small percentage was referred to courses (6.2%). Eighty point three percent of the educators knew what epilepsy is, and 88.1% had the right view about the nature of the illness. However, 92% of the educators replied that they have not had adequate first aid training. Although 80.3% of the teachers believed that the school personnel are aware of the pupils' medical history, 85.48% of the teachers considered that they are informed about the pupils' condition from the parents/carers, and only 5.53% believed that the information came from the family doctor. Ninety-five point seventy percent of the educators declared a wish for further information and training about epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge and attitudes of the educators towards epilepsy are improved compared with those reported in previous studies conducted in Greece. However, there are still areas of uncertainty which need improvement. The necessity for more information about epilepsy and pupils' medical history along with appropriate training about seizure incidents seems crucial for the Greek educational community. Educational campaigns about epilepsy could improve teachers' knowledge of epilepsy to develop a well-informed and tolerant community. Further research in the field is necessary to provide teachers with accurate information about the illness and the ways to cope with it.

Knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes towards affected people among teachers in training in the Czech Republic

The aim of this study was to compare knowledge about, confidence with, and attitudes towards epilepsy and affected people between groups of freshmen and senior teachers in training (preservice teachers) at the Faculty of Education in Pilsen, Czech Republic. Two hundred thirty-six freshmen and 138 seniors completed the 21-item Scale of Attitudes Towards People with Epilepsy (ATPE), an 18-item multiple-choice test measuring their knowledge about epilepsy, and a 5-item questionnaire focused on confidence with epilepsy in a school environment. We found that despite a higher level of knowledge about epilepsy among seniors (mean score of 9.6 points compared with 8.48 points for freshmen, p<0.001), attitudes towards epilepsy, and also confidence in how to manage children affected with this disease did not differ significantly. The presented findings suggest that epilepsy-related training of preservice teachers should be more effective especially with respect to their ability to resolve problems that may happen to children with epilepsy in a class.

Knowledge and attitudes of school teachers, preschool teachers and students in teacher training about epilepsy and emergency management of seizures

PROBLEM

School and preschool teachers play a key role in the care of children with epilepsy. Yet, data about their knowledge on epilepsy are scarce.

METHODS

Assessment of knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy in teachers by conducting a questionnaire survey in Leipzig and Blankenburg, Germany, from August 2013 to January 2014.

RESULTS

1243 questionnaires were completed by 302 school teachers, 883 preschool teachers, 56 students and two unclassified participants. Of the respondents, 140 (11%) stated to have already been actively involved in an epilepsy emergency situation, another 148 (12%) as observers. Only 214 (17%) of respondents felt sufficiently prepared for an emergency. A rescue medication had already been applied by 79 (6%) of respondents; only 186 respondents (15%) stated they would be willing to administer a prescribed rescue medication under any circumstances. In response to an open-ended question about the most common fatal outcomes of a seizure, status epilepticus and drowning were rarely mentioned. 233 (19%) of respondents assumed that epileptic seizures cannot result in death. 606 (49%) of respondents were concerned about the legal repercussions to an incorrect response to a seizure.129/403 (32%) of teachers with >20 years of professional experience claimed never to have had a child suffering from epilepsy in their care, even though the prevalence of childhood epilepsy indicates that they should. In total, 1066 (86%) respondents expressed a desire to gain more knowledge on epilepsy.

CONCLUSIONS

Training programmes for teachers should be established. Furthermore, a clear legal regulatory framework needs to be set up.

An educational campaign toward epilepsy among Italian primary school teachers: 1. Survey on knowledge and attitudes

A questionnaire survey was undertaken to assess the impact of a nationwide educational campaign about epilepsy on the knowledge and attitudes toward the disease among Italian primary school teachers. Five hundred and eighty-two teachers participated. All interviewees were aware of the existence of epilepsy, and most of them had direct experience with the disease. Answers about frequency, causes, outcome, and response to treatments were variable and not correlated with age, residency, and years of experience. Teachers had positive attitudes toward epilepsy, except for the idea that driving and sports can be safe for people with epilepsy. Epilepsy and its treatment were considered a source of learning disability and social disadvantages. Several teachers declared themselves being unable to help a child having seizures. Calling an ambulance was a frequent action. Knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy are improved compared with those reported in our previous studies. Although this may be a positive reflection of the increasing knowledge and the greater availability of information on epilepsy, there are still areas of uncertainty and incorrect behaviors.