Knowledge and Attitude toward Epilepsy of Close Family Members of People with Epilepsy in North of Iran

Karimi, Narges; Akbarian, Seyyed Ali

doi:10.1155/2016/8672853

Cited by 19 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Studies of family members of epilepsy patients tend to reveal relatively higher levels of knowledge. A survey of 124 first-degree relatives of epilepsy patients attending a tertiary clinic in Iran indicated that 50% had “good” knowledge about the disease, defined as having a high score on a 25-item questionnaire ( 14 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge about Essential Tremor: A Study of Essential Tremor Families

et al. 2018

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BackgroundEssential tremor (ET) is among the most common neurological diseases and it often runs in families. How knowledgeable ET patients and their families are about their disease has been the subject of surprisingly little scholarship.MethodsTo fill this gap in knowledge, we administered a comprehensive 32-item survey (i.e., questions about etiology, pathophysiology, symptoms and signs, natural history, and treatments) to 427 participants, including 76 ET probands, 74 affected relatives (AFRs), 238 unaffected relatives, and 39 spouses of unaffected relatives, all of whom were participating in two ET family studies. We hypothesized that there would be gaps in knowledge about ET and furthermore, that probands and AFRs would be the most knowledgeable, followed by unaffected relatives and then spouses of unaffected relatives, who would be the least knowledgeable.ResultsOverall, ET patients lacked knowledge about their disease. Nearly one-third of probands answered “yes” or “do not know” to the question, “is ET the same or different from the type of tremor that many normal people can get when they become old and frail?” A similar proportion did not know whether children could get ET or they responded “no.” Nearly one-fourth of affecteds (i.e., probands and AFRs) did not know whether or to what degree (e.g., very well, moderately well, not well) the symptoms of ET could be medically controlled, and 38.0% either reported that there was no brain surgery for ET or reported that they did not know. Nearly 17% of affecteds did not endorse genes as a cause for ET, which was surprising given the fact that this was a family study of ET. Probands and AFRs were the most knowledgeable, followed by unaffected relatives. Spouses of unaffected relatives were the least knowledgeable.ConclusionWe targeted a large group of ET patients and their families, as this group is perhaps most likely to be informed about the disease. ET patients and their AFRs were more knowledgeable about the features of ET than their family members without ET. Overall, however, knowledge of ET was very limited and this lack of knowledge encompassed all aspects of the disease including its underlying causes, the nature of the symptoms and signs, its natural history and its treatment. Further ET awareness education and programs targeting both families of ET patients and the public would help alleviate this gap in knowledge.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge about Essential Tremor: A Study of Essential Tremor Families

et al. 2018

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“…In support of this defense is the publication that 68 respondents thought "epilepsy is not a form of mental illness," and 66 (97.05%) believed that people with epilepsy are not insane. [33] Though epilepsy may co-exist with mental illness, in some cases, and some PWE have exhibited abnormal behaviour after the crisis phase of the attack, as per personal clinical observations, most PWE are intellectually sound and have excel both academically and in other professions. To conclude, epilepsy is not a psychotic disorder.…”

Section: Attitude Towards Epilepsymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More so, report from other studies have shown that people with less awareness and knowledge about epilepsy tend to have negative attitudes toward the disease and misperceptions such as epilepsy being a form of insanity. [33] To support the assertion, a report cited that nearly 35 percent of the nursing students believed epilepsy is a mental illness. [27] This assertion is similar to the findings of this research report.…”

Section: Attitude Towards Epilepsymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cultural beliefs, superstition, and lack of information about epilepsy have perpetuated such misconceptions in developing countries. [33] However, the Koran clearly chastises that people suffering from different types of disorders should be treated with respect because their fate might be attributed to the will of Allah rather than personal weaknesses or sinful behaviour. [32] It is important that health care professionals be well informed about epilepsy and take an appropriate attitude towards the disease.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Epilepsy Among Nurses in Asutifi North District

Asare¹,

Boakye²,

Aryee³

2020

EJHS

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Background: Epilepsy is one of the world’s oldest known brain disorders among several medical conditions. A recent study has indicated that 70 million people are estimated to suffer from this disease. Despite the increase education and health care, some health professionals continue to linger in darkness about cause and treatment options of the disease.Purpose. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding epilepsy among nurses within the Asutifi North District with the aim of understanding their subjective experiences and knowledge on epilepsy in a socio-cultural context and how their attitude shaped their practice towards people with epilepsy.Methodology. The study employed an exploratory descriptive cross-sectional design with 102 participants using a standard statistical formula. Data was collected using a paper based semi-structured self-administered questionnaire and analysis was by STATA version 12.Results. Findings showed that 67.7% (69/102) of the nurses were aware of the causes of epilepsy whereas 59.8% have low level of knowledge on the disease. Results indicated that 82.4% of the nurses suspect PWE have mental illness, 70.6% of the nurses had positive attitude towards epilepsy. The socio-demographic characteristics of religion (Muslim) (p=0.017), area of speciality (RMN) (p=0.045) as well as close family relationship with epilepsy (p=0.001) were significantly associated with knowledge on epilepsy. Factors that were found to influence attitude towards epilepsy were sex (Female) (p=0.037) and religion (Muslim) (p=0.012). However, specialty area (RMN) (p=0.054) did not statistically impact on the study. Nurses at the Asutifi North District therefore tended to have low knowledge and positive attitude on epilepsy. It is important to improve training and health care delivery for epilepsy.Recommendation. The Ghana Health Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Health should run intermediary workshops, at least every six months, to train nurses in epilepsy diagnoses to reduce the treatment gap. The health directorate should raise awareness and educate the communities on epilepsy to reduce stigma. Enhancing nursing education and training on epilepsy by the Ministry of Health and its agencies is imperative to improving health care delivery for people living with the disease

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“…Report from other studies have shown that people with less awareness and knowledge about epilepsy tend to have negative attitudes toward the disease and misperceptions such as epilepsy being a form of insanity, untreatable, contagious, and hereditary or a form of mental retardation. Cultural beliefs, superstition, and lack of information about epilepsy have perpetuated such misconceptions in developing countries [28] In terms of practice on epilepsy, report indicates that about 90% of patients with epilepsy are not under hospital supervision at any one time; for that matter the role of the general practitioner in the care of these individuals is important. There is no doubt that community care of people with epilepsy needs much improvement [31].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Epilepsy Among Nurses in Asutifi North District

Asare¹,

Yiadom²,

Aryee³

2020

AJHMN

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Purpose: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding epilepsy among nurses within the Asutifi North District with the aim of understanding their subjective experiences and knowledge on epilepsy in a sociocultural context and how their attitude shape their practice towards people with epilepsy. Methodology: The study employed an exploratory descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of nurses who have been licensed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana and working in government facilities. The exclusion criteria were private health facilities, non-trained health professionals and other health professionals without nursing background, and student nurses on clinical attachment during the period of study in the district. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the study participants from the communities. A standard statistical formula was used to arrive at a sample size of 102. Data was collected by using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics involving frequencies and percentages were used in representing data. Responses on other items were cross-tabulated. The statistical tool that was used for analyzing the data was by STATA version 12.Results: Findings showed that 67.7% (69/102) of the nurses were aware of the causes of epilepsy, 59.8% have low level of knowledge on the disease. Though 82.4% of the nurses suspect people with epilepsy to have mental illness, 70.6% of the nurses had positive attitude towards epilepsy. However, 52.9% exhibited poor practices towards the disease. The socio-demographic characteristics of religion (Muslim) (p=0.017), area of specialty (RMN) (p=0.045) as well as close family relationship with epilepsy (p=0.001) were significantly associated with knowledge on epilepsy. Factors that were found to influence attitude towards epilepsy were sex (Female) (p=0.037), religion (Muslim) (p=0.012) and specialty area (RMN) (p=0.054). The area of specialty statistically influences their practices on epilepsy (p=0.001). There was no statistically significant association between knowledge on epilepsy and practice (p=0.134). However, attitude significantly related to practices on epilepsy (p=0.008) and indicated that negative attitude was more likely to be associated with poor practice.Conclusion: Nurses at the Asutifi North District tended to have low knowledge, positive attitude and poor practices on epilepsy.Recommendation: The Ghana Health Service in collaboration with the Ministry of Health should run intermediary workshops, at least every six months, to train nurses in epilepsy diagnoses to reduce the treatment gap. The health directorate should raise awareness and educate the communities on epilepsy to reduce stigma. Enhancing nursing education and training on epilepsy by the Ministry of Health and its agencies is imperative to improving health care delivery for people living with the disease.

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Knowledge and Attitude toward Epilepsy of Close Family Members of People with Epilepsy in North of Iran

Cited by 19 publications

References 24 publications

Knowledge about Essential Tremor: A Study of Essential Tremor Families

Knowledge about Essential Tremor: A Study of Essential Tremor Families

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Epilepsy Among Nurses in Asutifi North District

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Epilepsy Among Nurses in Asutifi North District

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