Public awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding epilepsy in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

Alsohibani, Abdullah; Alkheder, Renad S; Alharbi, Marwa; Alrasheedi, Malak S; Alsoghair, Mansour; Alsuhaibani, Mohammed

doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.01.014

Cited by 16 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The current study showed 94.8% had heard or read about epilepsy, 60.7% knew someone with epilepsy, and 57% seen somebody in a seizure. These results compared with several studies were done in Riyadh (Alaqeel and Sabbagh, 2013), Qassim (Alsohibani et al, 2019), and Asser (Alhazzani et al, 2016) were relatively close to each other. In our study, we found only 12% would prevent their children from socializing with a child with epilepsy, which that slightly less than what has been noted in Alhazzani's study (17.6%).…”

Section: Discussion:-supporting

confidence: 83%

“…A cross-sectional study including a questionnaire formed of 14 questions to assess the awareness, knowledge, and attitudes about epilepsy in the Hail region, northern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A validated Arabic copy of the questionnaire has been taken from a study conducted in the Qassim region (Alsohibani et al, 2019). The questionnaire was divided into two parts.…”

Section: Study Design and Samplementioning

confidence: 99%

“…discrimination. In several cities of KSA, there are many studies have been done to evaluate the public awareness of epilepsy, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Asser, Majmaah, Al-Karj, Tabuk, Shaqra and Qassim (Alaqeel and Sabbagh, 2013;Haneef et al, 2014;Alhazzani et al, 2016;Almutairi et al, 2016; Al-Dossari et al, 2018; Alamri, Alghamdi and Al Quait, 2018; Alshahrani et al, 2019;Alsohibani et al, 2019). According to some of those studies, there was a misunderstanding of epilepsy.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Public Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Epilepsy in the Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Alenezi¹,

Alshammari²,

Al-Hemshy³

et al. 2020

IJAR

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Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease that affects the brain. There are around 50 million patients with epilepsy worldwide. However, there are a lot of studies have shown a misconception regarding epilepsy among different communities. This study was conducted in the Hail region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to measure the level of awareness, knowledge, and behaviors toward epilepsy. Methods: A cross-sectional study including a questionnaire formed of 14 validated questions, distributed to the people residing in the Hail region, from September 17 to September 26, 2019. Results: The Questionnaire applied to 384 participants and most of them were less than or equal 25 years old)42.4%). Ninety-four present of 384 respondents had heard or read about epilepsy and there were only 12% would prevent their children from socializing with a child with epilepsy. While most of the participants (78.4%) agreed that patient with epilepsy has a right to not be barred from a job. Sixty-seven percent of participants cited mental disorder as the most common cause of epilepsy followed by brain disorders and 96.4% of participants chose convulsant and shaking as a symptom of epilepsy followed by loss of consciousness. Conclusion: The level of awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in the Hail region were quite good, but society still needs to raise the level of knowledge and correct misconceptions.

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Section: Discussion:-supporting

confidence: 83%

Section: Study Design and Samplementioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Public Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Epilepsy in the Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Alenezi¹,

Alshammari²,

Al-Hemshy³

et al. 2020

IJAR

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“…In 2018, a study from an Al-Kharj area in the central region of Saudi Arabia reported that nearly 70% of the general public were knowledgeable regarding the neurological nature of epilepsy (although nearly half the participants believed that epilepsy was related to evil eye-induced envy and/or demons’ possession) [ 17 ]. In 2019, in Al-Qaseem region [ 18 ], over two-thirds of the general public appreciated the fact that epilepsy is a brain disorder, a noticeable increase from the results found earlier [ 17 ]. That provides supportive evidence that knowledge about epilepsy may be improving during the last few years among the Saudi public, thanks to the technology-related information explosion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Saudis Equipped to Provide Adequate First Aid to Someone Having a Seizure?

Habbash¹,

Amer²,

Aldosari³

et al. 2022

Cureus

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Background and aim Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with a huge impact on the physical and psychological well-being of the individuals affected. Unwanted behavioral practices regarding epilepsy emergencies result in poor management, costly clinical interventions, and frequent unnecessary visits to the emergency departments. We aimed at conducting a large-scale investigation of behavioral practices, beliefs, and perceptions regarding epilepsy first aid measures among the Saudi public. Methods This is a descriptive questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of the general public residing in the Southwestern region of Aseer in Saudi Arabia. Results The study included 1230 participants. There were about 70.4% shows good knowledge about epilepsy and 74.2% with good knowledge about epilepsy first-aid. About 87.1% reported that they know what epilepsy really is, and nearly 38.1% know somebody diagnosed with epilepsy. Only 25.4 sought doctors for epilepsy-related knowledge. About 16.7% thought spirit possession to be the aetiology for epilepsy and about 14.1% believed that evil eye was the cause. In terms of the adjusted impact for background factors on epilepsy knowledge, high education, attending seminars, or getting information from doctors was associated with a better knowledge score. However, housewives were less knowledgeable in terms of epilepsy-related knowledge. Conclusion We uncovered in our present investigation the upward trend for behavioral practices regarding epilepsy during the last few years among the Saudi public. We noted that behavioral practices and knowledge levels about epilepsy were far better among highly educated graduates. One concerning finding is the huge reliance on media for information about epilepsy. The media may not be the ideal channel for the dissemination of health-wise information about epilepsy. Our study results showed that there was a very low level of first-hand experience of knowing some acquaintances living with epilepsy, likely because of stigma. Spirit possession and evil-eye beliefs are embedded in the Saudi culture. It was notable that 25% and 19% of minorities reported getting information about epilepsy from doctors and seminars, respectively. These were the two groups with the highest adjustable knowledge score though. Knowledge about first aid for epilepsy was satisfactory in several aspects. Sadly, housewives were less knowledgeable in terms of epilepsy-related knowledge than other categories of employment. Public healthcare facilities should be more proactive. Health education should be provided to the general public using simple and understandable language to help improve knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy and all related chronic illnesses.

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“…[ 19 ] However, the majority of the respondents (85.1%) reported that they didn't attend a course on controlling seizures which was in the same line with the results of Alsohibani et al . [ 22 ] who concluded that more campaigns are needed in order to increase societal awareness and improve perceptions toward epilepsy, obtaining help from governmental agencies, health institutions, mass media, and other health-related organizations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of students of health-related science colleges towards epilepsy in Taif, Saudi Arabia

Kabel

Algethami

et al. 2020

J Family Med Prim Care

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Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common disorders that may be associated with negative attitudes among general populations. This may be due to poor public awareness and knowledge toward epilepsy. Aim: To assess knowledge, perceptions and attitudes of students of health-related science colleges toward epilepsy in Taif. Methods: This study was conducted in three health-related science colleges in Taif University. A questionnaire was distributed to students of these colleges. Results: More than 80% of the participants have heard or read about epilepsy. About half of them had witnessed a seizure attack. More than three quarters of the participants thought that epilepsy is a neurological disease. In total 97% of the participants stated that convulsions are the main manifestations of epilepsy. In total 77.7% of the participants selected the medical treatment and follow-up as the most effective treatment of epilepsy. More than three quarters of the participants agreed with that epileptic woman can get married and have children. About 90% agreed to work with epileptic persons and become a close friend of them. About half of the participants believed that the equal job opportunity for epileptic and normal persons should be practiced. Conclusion: The knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of students of health-related science colleges toward epilepsy in Taif were acceptable regarding to this study. However, the negative attitudes and misconceptions still exist. Further studies are needed to determine methods of overcoming these negative attitudes and misconceptions.

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Public awareness, knowledge, and attitudes regarding epilepsy in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

Cited by 16 publications

References 12 publications

Public Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Epilepsy in the Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Public Awareness, Knowledge, and Attitudes Toward Epilepsy in the Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Are Saudis Equipped to Provide Adequate First Aid to Someone Having a Seizure?

Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of students of health-related science colleges towards epilepsy in Taif, Saudi Arabia

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