Knowledge about Epilepsy among Patients under Community Care

Abstract

Introduction. Insufficient knowledge and misconception about epilepsy causes the development of negative attitudes towards epilepsy patients, increases stigmatization and psychosocial problems, and consequently affects their quality of life.Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the state of knowledge of primary care patients on epilepsy.Material and Methods. The study included a group of 149 patients from three primary health care facilities in the city of Bydgoszcz. The study population consisted of 99 women (66%) and 50 men (34%). Adults predominated, the mean age of the respondents was 43.91 years (SD = 13.03). The research used the method of diagnostic survey, the research tool was the original questionnaire. The research was carried out in a correlation model. The non-parametric Spearman rank test was used to determine the significance of the relationship between demographic variables and knowledge about epilepsy. The significance level p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results. The bast majority of respondents (97%) have heard about epilepsy in their lives and believe that they have knowledge about this disease (90%) and know the main cause (76%). Moreover, most of the respondents (96%, 97%) know that during an attack, the patient should be safely positioned and their head protected against injuries. Unfortunately, only 47% of the respondents were ready to help the sick.Conclusions. Most of the respondents have heard about epilepsy in their lifetime and believe they have knowledge of epilepsy. More than half of the respondents witnessed an epileptic seizure. Readiness to provide first aid during an epileptic seizure is declared by nearly half of the respondents. The vast majority of respondents accept people with epilepsy in the work environment as well as in the social environment. There is a relationship between gender, age and education, and some aspects of knowledge about epilepsy and the presented opinion about the disease. (JNNN 2021;10(3):105–111)