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

The evaluation of the training, "the approach to epilepsy and epileptic seizure," which was given to teachers in Türkiye

INTRODUCTION

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder among humans after headaches. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 50-65 million individuals were diagnosed with epilepsy throughout the world, and around two million new cases of epilepsy are added to this figure every year.

METHODS

Designed as descriptive and cross-sectional research, this study was performed on 132 elementary school teachers. Training on epilepsy and epileptic seizure was given to teachers. The pretest and posttest research data were collected with the face-to-face interview method. In this process, the epilepsy knowledge scale was used as well as a survey form that had questions designed to find out about teachers' personal characteristics. The Statistical Package for Social Science 25.0 was utilized in the statistical analysis of research data. In the research, the statistical significance was identified if the p-value was below.05 (p < .05).

RESULTS

Of all teachers participating in the study, 59.1% were female, 90.2% were married, and 47.7% witnessed an epilepsy seizure before. The mean of teachers' pretest epilepsy knowledge scores was 8.43 ± 4.31 points before the training while the mean of their posttest epilepsy knowledge scores was 12.65 ± 2.48 points after the training. The difference between the means of pretest and posttest scores was statistically significant (p = .000). After the training, there was a statistically significant increase in means of scores obtained by teachers from each item of the epilepsy knowledge scale (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

As there was a statistically significant improvement in levels of teachers' knowledge about both epilepsy and epileptic seizure after the training, it is recommended that the training about the approach to epilepsy and epileptic seizure be given to all teachers, and additionally, including these topics in the course curricula of universities is recommended.

Teachers' Negative Attitudes and Limited Health Literacy Levels as Risks for Low Awareness of Epilepsy in Turkey

OBJECTIVES

For students with epilepsy, schools are a critical environment for managing the disease properly. This study examined awareness of epilepsy, attitudes toward epilepsy, and health literacy among school teachers in Turkey.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a city in Turkey with 1408 public school teachers from June 2021 to September 2021.

RESULTS

The median scores of the scales were 5, 29, and 32 for epilepsy awareness, epilepsy attitudes, and health literacy, respectively. Epilepsy awareness was higher in women, and epilepsy attitudes were more positive in women than men (p<0.05). While epilepsy awareness was higher in primary school teachers, epilepsy attitudes were more positive in secondary school teachers (p<0.05). Epilepsy awareness was lower in secondary school teachers (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; p<0.05), those who did not have an individual with epilepsy in their family/social environment (OR, 1.57; p<0.001), those who did not have a student with epilepsy in their class (OR, 1.45; p<0.05), and in those who had not witnessed an epilepsy seizure (OR,1.19; p<0.05). Compared to those with positive attitudes regarding epilepsy, epilepsy awareness was 1.36 times lower in those with negative attitudes (p<0.001). Epilepsy awareness was 1.92 times lower in those with limited health literacy than those with adequate health literacy (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, low epilepsy awareness, negative epilepsy attitudes, and limited health literacy were common among teachers. The findings from this study suggest that panels, workshops, and health training on epilepsy should be organized for school teachers and included at regular intervals in certified first-aid practices.

Assessment of epilepsy awareness, knowledge, and attitudes among preclinical and clinical medical students in the West Bank of Palestine

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the level of epilepsy-related awareness, knowledge, and attitude exhibited by medical students at a specific medical school in Palestine, as well as the students' reactions to the treatment and social activities provided to patients with epilepsy.

METHODS

A cross-sectional, observational research of 306 medical students at An-Najah National University in the West Bank, Palestine, was conducted. We used a validated survey taken from previous publications. We split the medical students into preclinical (2nd and 3rd year) and clinical (4th, 5th, and 6th year) groups to see if there were significant differences in their awareness, knowledge, attitude, and their practices toward patients with epilepsy. Several elements, such as sociodemographics, awareness, knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding epilepsy, were included in the survey. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 29.0. Quantitative data were expressed as mean and standard deviation, whereas qualitative data as frequencies and percentages. The chi-square test was used to compare groups.Any P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

In general, clinical medical students exhibited better epilepsy awareness, knowledge, and attitude than preclinical students. Of note, 73.6% of clinical students believe epilepsy is a treatable disorder, compared to 44.6% of preclinical students (P-value < 0.001). Some students believe that depression/anxiety (39.6%), psychosis (35.7%), jinns (evil spirit) (7.8%), evil eye (5.8%), and punishment from God (4.5%) cause epilepsy. Clinical students were more likely than preclinical students to have rotated in a neurology clinic or department (40% vs. 4.6%, P-value < 0.001). In total, 95.5% of clinical students and 86.9% of preclinical students (P-value = 0.006) thought patients with epilepsy should marry. Clinical stage students were more likely than preclinical stage students to think that patients with epilepsy can have children (92.7% vs. 83.1%, P-value = 0.009). Preclinical stage students were more likely than clinical stage students to believe that students with epilepsy should not play sports (22.3% versus 13%, P-value = 0.030). Generally, there were no significant gender differences in awareness, knowledge, and attitudes.

CONCLUSION

The study found that medical students knew little about epilepsy types, causes, triggers, and first aid. Negative attitudes toward people with epilepsy living alone and discrimination against people with epilepsy were also observed. Students' perceptions of this prevalent disease must be improved through educational programs that provide increased opportunities for clinical exposure to this condition as well as proper inclusion of epilepsy in the regular curriculum.

Knowledge of Epilepsy and Seizure First Aid Among Teachers in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders among patients, with a high prevalence in adults and children in Saudi Arabia. It can have a negative impact on a child's health, behavior, and academic performance, as well as their mental health. As a seizure attack can happen in school and the teachers will be the first health providers, preventing complications and ensuring student performance, development of social skills, and future employment can be significantly impacted by a teacher's awareness and attitudes towards epilepsy.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, targeting teachers in schools of all educational levels using a self-administrated validated questionnaire in Arabic. A total of 423 teachers fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included. Teachers' ages ranged from 18 to more than 50 years with mean age of 42.6 ± 9.3 years old. Exactly 261 (61.7%) teachers were females and 400 (94.6%) were Saudi.

RESULTS

We defined acceptable level of awareness as the ability to recognize seizure phenomena (if they have witnessed one before) as a medical neurological problem (as opposed to attributing it to religious and/or superstitious beliefs, etc.) with ability to respond promptly with proper first aid required when encountering a seizure (turn on one side, avoid placing items in mouth, etc). Exactly 163 (38.5%) had good overall knowledge level while 260 (61.5%) had poor knowledge regarding epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

Our research found that teachers have poor knowledge about epilepsy, wherein 38.5% had good overall knowledge level while 61.5% had poor knowledge regarding epilepsy. However, only a 9.2% had first-aid training, which suggests that knowledge and practice of epilepsy first aid needs to be improved via public awareness campaigns and first-aid training courses in schools.

Public Knowledge, Awareness, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Seizure Attacks Among People of Makkah City

OBJECTIVES

Seizures can occur as a result of a variety of health issues. Epilepsy is a common neurological disease and it is the most prevalent cause of seizures. Epileptic patients might experience a seizure attack at any moment. The aim of this study is to assess public knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices toward seizure attacks among residents of Makkah city.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing an online questionnaire, which was distributed through various social media platforms. The questionnaire consisted of five parts, taking sociodemographic characteristics into consideration, and evaluating knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices among the general population of Makkah city.

RESULTS

A total of 401 participants completed the study questionnaire: 280 (69.8%) participants were females and 121 (30.2%) were males. Overall knowledge regarding epilepsy among the study participants was evaluated. A total of 132 (32.9%) participants had a good level of knowledge, while 269 (67.1%) exhibited poor knowledge. In addition, students had significantly better knowledge (44.7%) than individuals who were employed, retired, or unemployed (27.7%), (P=.004). Furthermore, participants who had previously heard about epilepsy were more knowledgeable (34.3%) than those who had not (P =.041). Additionally, participants who attended a course on seizure control (46.7%) had significantly better knowledge than those who did not (31.2%), (P=.037).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that most of our sample of Makkah city residents had poor overall knowledge of epilepsy and seizure attacks. A health education program and awareness campaigns could help improve this lack of knowledge in Makkah city.

Effect of health education on female primary school teachers' knowledge of seizure first aid: An interventional study

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% (p = 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% (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The health education program resulted in significant improvements to teachers' responses to seizure and improvements in all aspects of epilepsy awareness.

Awareness and attitude of first-year medical students toward epilepsy in University of Khartoum, Sudan

PURPOSE

Very little is known about the knowledge and attitude of students about epilepsy at Sudanese universities. Therefore, we aimed to assess knowledge and attitude of undergraduate medical students toward epilepsy.

METHODS

A 35-items standardized questionnaire was self-administered to 320 students between December 2020 and February 2021 with a recorded response rate of 61.8%. Google form was used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using R software.

RESULTS

Overall, our findings showed a negative trend in the awareness and attitude towards epilepsy. While the majority of students (84.8%) had read or heard about epilepsy, only 43.9% of them had seen someone with epilepsy. Epilepsy was considered contagious and psychological by 1.7% and 56%, respectively. About 62.2% of students believed head / birth trauma is a cause of epilepsy. On the other hand, 15.7 % and 5.1 % of students thought evil eye and divine retribution are also causes of epilepsy, respectively. The latter beliefs were more uniform among participants from rural background (p < .05). Regarding attitude, 19.7% of students considered it inappropriate for a patient with epilepsy to have a child. This attitude correlates with the mother's education as the percentage was higher for students whose mothers had a lower education (pre-college education) (p < .05). The majority of students were aware that certain people with epilepsy need long-term drug treatment; this belief was more uniform among females than in males (p < .05). The vast majority of students (93.9%) thought that a child with epilepsy could succeed in a normal class. Compared to the corresponding group, this belief was found more common in students whose mothers had a higher education (university level and above) (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study concludes that Sudanese undergraduate students' understanding of epilepsy was minimal, necessitating a well-directed educational campaign to develop a well-informed and tolerant society.

Teachers and Epilepsy in Saudi Arabia: Gaps in Knowledge and Potential Roles

In young children, epilepsy, a disorder marked by recurring seizures, is frequent. Schoolteachers play an important role in the development of young children and hence have a big impact on their psychosocial development. This study was carried out to examine the available data from Saudi Arabia in order to better understand the knowledge gap among Saudi instructors. Although schoolteachers’ knowledge in Saudi Arabia has improved over time, such that they now have significant knowledge that can affect student performance, social skill development, future endeavors, and life quality, a significant percentage still believes that epilepsy is linked to psychiatric illness. Few teachers have obtained first-aid training in the area of seizure treatment. It is consequently vital to improve instructors’ knowledge of seizure first aid. Teachers’ understanding and attitudes concerning epilepsy could be improved by health education. Schoolteachers should get focused and guided health education to improve their knowledge of epilepsy and change their attitudes.

Public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Public awareness of epilepsy and attitudes toward people with epilepsy (PWE) largely affect patients' perceived stigma and their quality of life. Educational interventions to increase public awareness of the disease need to target areas of lowest awareness levels to achieve best results. The aim of this review was to identify these areas in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This review was based on PRISMA guidelines. Medline, PsychInfo, Embase, Ovid Evidence-Based Medicine Reviews, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant literature. Inclusion criteria was cross-sectional studies that are done in Saudi Arabia, assess any aspect of epilepsy awareness or attitudes toward PWE, and report outcomes in proportions. Meta-analysis was done on outcomes reported in ≥5 studies utilizing random-effects model. Quality assessment was done using AXIS tool.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies were included in this review. A total of 48 questions' outcomes were reported in ≥3 studies, and 26 of them were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis estimated that 6.4% (CI 4.2-9.7%) of the population think epilepsy is a contagious disease; 90.7% (CI 85.5-94.1%) have heard/read about epilepsy; 53.1% (CI 47.7-58.3%) have witnessed a seizure; 38.6% (CI 24.7-54.7%) think epilepsy is a psychological disorder; 25.2% (CI 16.5-36.7%) think it is caused by spirit possession; 35.1% (CI 22.0-50.8%) were estimated to think it is caused by evil eye (envy); 37.9% (CI 21.9-57.0%) would try to put something inside a seizing patient's mouth to prevent tongue biting; 34.6% (CI 26.9-43.1%) would approve their offspring marrying someone with epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

Areas of unsatisfactory awareness levels included etiology of epilepsy and appropriate seizure responses. Attitudes were more negative regarding marriage, children, and employment. These areas need to be properly addressed in future educational interventions.

Employment and occupational safety among patients with seizure disorders - findings from a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE

Observational studies suggest that persons with seizure disorders are socially disadvantaged compared to the general population. There are scarce reports in the literature on the prevalence of employment and occupational safety among patients with seizure disorders in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to describe the occupational statuses of patients with seizure disorders and determine factors associated with unemployment.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Five-hundred-and-forty patients with known seizure disorders or epilepsy who attended neurology and neurosurgery outpatient clinics between January and November 2018 completed a semi-structured questionnaire delivered by interview.

RESULTS

Forty-four percent of participants were unemployed (27% of males and 64% of females). Fifteen percent of currently or previously employed participants reported that they had formerly resigned from their job due to their seizure disorder, most commonly as a result of their own fears or concerns. Almost half of the participants reported that their employer made arrangements in the workplace for their seizure disorder, while 18% reported that they did not disclose their diagnosis. Gender, age, and highest educational level were associated with employment status and reason for unemployment. Patients with seizures secondary to trauma were less than half as likely to be employed compared to other participants (aOR = 0.45 95%CI 0.21-0.97, p = 0.042). Holding a driving license increased the odds of being employed (aOR = 2.68 95%CI 1.32-5.46, p = 0.007). Participants on 4 or more antiepileptic medications were more likely to report not being well enough to work.

SIGNIFICANCE

Patients with seizure disorders are at increased risk of unemployment, even though many desire work. Unemployment is linked to social factors rather than disease-specific characteristics. Employers in Saudi Arabia generally accommodate patients in the workplace; however, individuals should further be empowered with information on safety in the workplace and their rights to employment.

Knowledge of Epilepsy and seizure first aid among teachers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

PURPOSE

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with a national prevalence of 6.54/1000. The majority of the patients are adolescents and at risk of experiencing a seizure in school. Consequently, schoolteachers would be among the first health care providers. Thus, teachers' knowledge and practice are imperative for the students' safety and development. We aimed to assess the knowledge of epilepsy and seizure first aid among teachers at all educational levels in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered validated questionnaire was distributed to teachers to assess their necessary demographic data and their knowledge about epilepsy and seizure first aid by using Chi-square test to find significant associations.

RESULTS

Our sample included 822 teachers, 54.1% of the respondents were male, and 45.7% female. The majority of participants had moderate knowledge of epilepsy and lacked first aid training. Most participants recognized epilepsy as a neurological disorder, and 42.2% have witnessed a seizure in school. Our study showed a significant relationship between knowledge score and qualification (P-value = 0.037) as well as knowledge score and witnessing a seizure (P-value = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

The knowledge score shows that teachers in Jeddah have moderate knowledge of epilepsy, and approximately one-tenth have taken first aid training. We recommend educational campaigns on epilepsy and first aid courses targeting students and teachers in schools.

Assessing knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy among schoolteachers and students: Implications for inclusion and safety in the educational system

Several studies have evidenced inadequate knowledge about epilepsy and inappropriate seizure management, influencing quality of life and social inclusion of patients with epilepsy. Aim of the study was to estimate the knowledge and the attitudes toward epilepsy in schoolteachers and students in Italy. Custom-designed and validated questionnaires in Italian on general and specific knowledge, and social impact of epilepsy have been administered in a random sample of schoolteachers and students. Overall, 667 schoolteachers and 672 students have been included. Among teachers and students, consider epilepsy a psychiatric disorder (16.8% and 26.5%) or an incurable disease (43.9% and 33%). The 47.5% of teachers declared to be unable to manage a seizing student, 55.8% thought it requires specific support and 21.6% reported issues in administer antiseizure medications in school. Healthcare professionals should have an active role in the educational system, dispelling myths, preparing educators and students with appropriate attitudes in the event of a seizure and prevent over limitations in patients with epilepsy. These findings highlight still poor knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy among teachers and students although the 99.4% claimed to have heard/read something about epilepsy. Therefore, improving existing dedicated educational/training interventions could be necessary.

Traditional practices and perceptions of epilepsy among people in Roma communities in Bulgaria

PURPOSE

We attempted to identify cultural aspects of epilepsy among the Roma community in Bulgaria by elucidating cultural beliefs, traditional treatments, and potential markers of stigma.

METHODS

We established representative discussion groups among five distinct Roma subgroups (Lom, Kalderas, Thracian Tinsmiths (Tinkers), Kyustendil Xoroxane and Kopanari) from different Bulgarian regions. Data about local beliefs and treatment strategies were gathered.

RESULTS

Most people were familiar with convulsions but non-convulsive focal seizures were seen not as epileptic but mainly as a "mental problem". Beliefs about putative etiologies for epilepsy were not uniform as some considered environmental and external factors such as high environmental temperatures, electric shocks, loud music, and fever as causes of seizures while others listed bad experiences, stress, trauma, and fear as possible causes. Epilepsy was seen by some as a divine punishment or resulting from black magic. Most considered epilepsy shameful and an obstacle to children attending school. Despite local differences, there was a uniform belief that epilepsy is incurable by Western medicine and people usually resort to traditional healers. A variety of rituals performed by local healers to treat epilepsy were described.

DISCUSSION

Misconceptions about epilepsy may contribute to stigmatization in this population; this may in turn contribute to a high treatment gap in this group. As a result, the majority of Roma children with epilepsy are likely to leave school early, are greatly limited in their choice of spouse (particularly girls), and marriages often occur between people with epilepsy or those with a family history of epilepsy.

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.

The abbreviation "PWE" may carry a negative connotation compared with the labels "person with epilepsy" and "epileptic"

PURPOSE

Ways of labeling a person with epilepsy (PWE) may have an impact on public position towards affected persons. This study analyzed college students position changes, influenced by three different labels of PWE.

METHODS

Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Students of three schools answered one of three questionnaires whose content changed in the labeling form: person with epilepsy, epileptic or PWE. Proportions were compared with Chi square test or Fisher's exact test to explore considering age, gender, religion practicing, socioeconomic status, knowing an affected person and by faculty.

RESULTS

A total of 273 questionnaires were included were distributed in medicine 133 (48.7 %), engineering 108 (39.6 %) and law 32 (11.7 %) schools. Labeling type distribution was person with epilepsy 94 (34.4 %), epileptic 93 (34.1 %) and PWE 86 (31.5 %. No statistical differences were found according the labels person with epilepsy and epileptic. The abbreviation PWE had statistical significant connotation in aspects of academic achievement p = 0,007, selecting a PWE in your work team p = 0,009, self control p < 0,000, being dangerous p < 0,000 and having any disturbance in thought or behavior p = 0,05. Religion practicing, socioeconomic status and knowing a person with epilepsy did not impact in attitude related to labeling. Engineering and law students expressed their concern in employability.

CONCLUSION

The abbreviation PWE may have negative connotations when used in written questionnaires. No differences were found with the labels person with epilepsy and epileptic in college students. More studies are needed to explore the stigmatizing or destigmatizing effects of labeling a person with epilepsy on different populations.

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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Understanding of and misunderstandings regarding epilepsy: A survey of teachers in schools for special needs education in Japan

The present study surveyed the understanding of epilepsy and attitudes toward epilepsy among teachers in Japanese schools for special needs education. An adapted version of a self-reported questionnaire, consisting of 27 questions, was sent to 3474 teachers at all schools for special needs education in Saitama Prefecture. The response rate to the questionnaire was 62%, corresponding to 2109 valid responses. The responses to three basic questions were as follows: 99% had heard about "epilepsy", 90% had seen epileptic seizures, and 63% had an acquaintance who had epilepsy. Numerous questionnaire items gave low correct answer rates for knowledge- and attitude-related questions. Correct responses to knowledge questions and a positive attitude toward epilepsy were associated with whether individuals had acquaintance with epilepsy, experience seeing a seizure, and read or heard about epilepsy. There was skepticism and uncertainty about whether people with epilepsy should be allowed to drive, likely due to vague fears of the risks of driving with epilepsy. According to our results, knowledge about epilepsy does not necessarily lead to a positive attitude. However, respondents who had acquaintances with epilepsy were most likely to demonstrate a positive attitude. Thus, familiarity is an essential factor in the likelihood of having a positive attitude toward epilepsy. Therefore, it is essential for teachers to understand how to manage and respond to epilepsy. There were a variety of concerns related to people with epilepsy driving. This finding highlights the importance of disseminating correct information on the risks of driving with epilepsy.

Does public attitude change by labeling a person as epileptic, person with epilepsy or the acronym PWE? A systematic review

PURPOSE

It is still unknown if attitudinal differences by diverse labeling of persons with epilepsy could be universally accepted with the actual literature evidence. The manner in which questions are constructed could also have an impact in final results. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the published articles regarding changes in public´s attitude towards epilepsy by labeling a person as epileptic, person with epilepsy or with the acronym PWE.

METHODS

We undertook a systematic review of the literature using common databases with specific keywords and combinations searching for original articles, meta-analysis and systematic reviews. Sociodemographic variables, attitude results and questions style were analyzed in included articles.

RESULTS

Four original articles were found. Significant attitudinal changes were described in three studies with the label person with epilepsy. One study failed to demonstrate an attitudinal change by distinct labeling of a person with epilepsy. All questions were formulated in a personal way. Few neutral and mostly induced questions were found in the studies.

CONCLUSION

By the use of the label "person with epilepsy" there is a trend towards positive changes in public's attitudes, although evidence is scarce to consider this tendency as universally applicable. More studies are needed considering widespread social and cultural backgrounds and patient opinion. Language power by wording type could be a key consideration for future studies.