Public Knowledge and Attitude towards Epilepsy and Its Associated Factors: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Ethiopia, 2019

Abstract

Background. Epilepsy is a disease of the brain defined by any of the following conditions. First, at least two unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring greater than 24 hours apart, and secondly, the presence of one unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further seizures. Due to persisted misunderstandings and negative attitudes, individuals living with epilepsy live with a poor quality of life. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the community general knowledge about epilepsy and attitude towards person living with epilepsy and its associated factors. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study conducted from March 10 to June 10, 2019, to assess the community general knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy and its associated factors. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and transported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Results. 596 study participants participated in a response rate of 98%. Among the study participants, 43.6% (95% CI: 39.6, 47.5) had poor knowledge and 41.3% (95% CI: 37.4, 45.1) had an unfavorable attitude. Lack of modern education, married, never witnessed a seizure, and not hearing the term epilepsy showed statistically significant association with poor knowledge about epilepsy. Lack of modern education, earning less than 1000 Ethiopian birr, not witnessing seizure, not hearing the term epilepsy, and half to one-hour walking time from health facility variables showed statistically significant association with the unfavorable attitude about epilepsy. Conclusions. The current study revealed that nearly half of Debre Berhan dwellers have deficits in terms of general knowledge about epilepsy and attitude towards a person living with epilepsy. Poor knowledge about epilepsy and unfavorable attitude towards a person living with epilepsy are likely to have an important impact on stigmatization and treatment-seeking behavior, and it should be given due attention. It would be better if health educators give special emphasis for the individuals with predictors of poor knowledge and unfavorable attitude.

Knowledge and attitude of the community towards epilepsy in Northwest Ethiopia: A huge gap on knowledge and attitude of the community

“…This result is also seen in previous researches conducted in Sululta Woreda Ethiopia [19] , Saudi Arabia [24] , and Enugu, South East Nigeria [28] . Likewise, those respondents who did not have witness of seizure episode had unfavorable attitude as compared with their counterparts which was also observed Austrian [36] and Debre Berhan studies [34] . Whether or not taking training had an impact on the attitude of the community.…”

“…Likewise, did not have witness of seizure episode, and did not take prior training were significantly associated with poor knowledge which was also observed in US population [21] , Saudi Arabia [24] , and Brazil studies [29] . Not witnessing seizure episode as a factor for poor knowledge has been also observed in Debre Berhan study [34] . This might be due to the fact that witnessing the seizure episode may invite individuals to ask/read about epilepsy and this allows having good knowledge and in fact it is expected to have a good knowledge while a person is taking training.…”

“…Whereas, the attitude of the community were unfavorable compared with the other studies carried out in Northwestern Nigeria 18% [22] , Australia 10% [36] , Al-Kharj Governorate Saudi Arabia 27.7% [24] , Brazil 11% [29] , Cameron studies 29.4%, 22.8% [30] , [37] , India 22.3% [38] , Debre Berhan study 41.3% [34] , Trinidad and Tobago (7%) [39] . This could be due to cultural attitudes difference, and methodological differences.…”

“…In the contrary the finding of this study showed a better improvement in the knowledge of the community as compared with the previous studies conducted in northern Nigerian urban community 74% [11] , Northwestern Nigeria 70.1% [22] , systematic review conducted in 36 countries(76%) [23] . On the other hand, the result of this study showed, the knowledge of the community related to epilepsy was lower than the studies conducted in Al-Kharj governorate Saudi Arabia 5.2% [24] , Vietnam (33%) [25] , Karachi Pakistan22.5% [26] , Italy 6.6% [27] .South East Nigeria (12.4%) [28] , town of Brazil 20% [29] , Jordan 50% [20] , North West Region- Cameroon 5.3% [30] , WHO study in sub-urban Senegal, (12.5%) [31] , Khartoum state 43% [32] , Oromia Regional State, Sululta Woreda 40.2% [19] , Jimma university specialized hospital 40% [33] Debre Berhan study 43.6% [34] .The discrepancy might be because the variation in sample size and the methodological differences.…”

How Much Do We Know? Assessing Public Knowledge, Awareness, Impact, and Awareness Guidelines for Epilepsy: A Systematic Review

“…Furthermore, the level of knowledge is subject to an economic and societal status, indicating that people in urban areas respond more positively and accurately to tests on knowledge and awareness of epilepsy as compared to those residing in rural areas [9,10]. Most people have little knowledge about epilepsy as well as negative attitudes toward epilepsy [11]. However, amongst the general public, levels of knowledge are reported to be moderate in countries such as Ethiopia [12].…”