Evaluation of Teachers Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Persons with Epilepsy: There is Need for Educational Interventions

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders globally. The discrimination and social stigma that surround epilepsy are in many cases a greater burden than the seizures itself. Students with epilepsy often find themselves confronted with social barriers that prevent them from academic achievements. This is in addition to the limitation that the disease itself has already placed on them. School teachers play a central role in determining access to education of the students living with epilepsy and may mediate epilepsy-associated stigma. Teachers' knowledge regarding epilepsy is an essential element of the educational experiences of people with the condition. A proper assessment of the knowledge and attitudes of schoolteachers is therefore pertinent to help identify the need for educational interventions. Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating the knowledge, attitude and practice of teachers towards persons with epilepsy to determine the need for an educational intervention. Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study using validated and pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires to interview teachers working in selected primary and secondary schools in Uyo, Nigeria. Results: 66.5% of the teachers had poor knowledge of epilepsy. 34.1% of them had a negative attitude towards people with epilepsy. Only 22.3% of the teachers could provide appropriate first aid management measures for epileptics during seizure episodes. Sociodemographic variables such as gender, years of teaching experience, level of teaching and school category had no significant impact on the teachers’ knowledge of epilepsy. However, positive attitude towards persons with epilepsy was significantly associated with the years of teaching experience and the level of teaching. Conclusion: The knowledge of epilepsy amongst the teachers is poor. The level of negative attitude amongst teachers towards people with epilepsy is worrisome. There is a dire need for educational interventions by healthcare professionals. Pharmacists can and should play a leading role in this regard.