KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS EPILEPSY AMONG BIOLOGY TEACHERS IN FARS PROVINCE, IRAN

Abstract

How to Cite this Article: Asadi-Pooya AA, Torabi-Nami M. Knowledge and Attitude Towards Epilepsy Among Biology Teachers in Fars Province, Iran. IranianJournal of Child Neurology 2012;6(1):13-18.ObjectiveThis study investigates the awareness and perception on “epilepsy” amongst biology teachers in Fars province, Iran.Materials & MethodsA sample of high school biology teachers in Fars province, Iran, filled out an investigator designed questionnaire including questions about their knowledge and attitude concerning “epilepsy”. There were 17 questions in the questionnaire. Nine questions addressed the knowledge and the rest were about attitude and perception.ResultsForty two teachers completed the questionnaires. More than two-thirds of the participants had a fairly desirable awareness about the definition; whereas, only approximately 40% knew something about the etiology and treatment of epilepsy. More than two-thirds of the participants had a positive attitude towards epilepsy; however, misconceptions and negative attitudes were observed.ConclusionEducational programs for biology teachers and also other teachers are necessary to improve their knowledge, attitude and perception about epilepsy.References Sander JW, Shorvon SD. Incidence and prevalence studies in epilepsy and their methodological problems: a review. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1987;50:829-39. Saraceno B. The WHO world health report 2001 on mental health. Epidemiol Psychiatr Soc 2002;11(2):83-7. Kim MK, Cho KH, Shin J, Kim SJ. A study of public attitudes towards epilepsy in Kwang-Juarea. J Kor Neurol Assoc 1994;12:410-27. DiIorio C, Shafer PO, Letz R, Henry T, Schomer DL, Yeager K, etal. The association of stigma with self-management and perception of health care among adults with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2003;4(3):259-67. Aziz H, Akhtar SW, Hasan KZ. Epilepsy in Pakistan: stigma and psychological problems: a population-based epidemiologic study. Epilepsia 1997;38:1069-73. Ablon. The nature of stigma and medical conditions. Epilepsy Behav 2002;3:2-9. Jacoby A. Stigma, epilepsy and quality of life. Epilepsy Behav 2002;3:10-20. McLin WM, de Boer HM. Public perceptions about epilepsy. Epilepsia 1995;36:957-9. Daoud A, Al-Safi S, Otoom S, Wahba L, Alkofahi A. Public knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy in Jordan. Seizure 2007;16:521-6. Ndour D, Diop AG, Ndiaye M, Niang C, Sarr MM, Ndiaye IP. A survey of school teachers’ knowledge and behaviour about epilepsy, in a developing country such as Senegal. [Article in French]. Aert Rev Neurol 2004;160(3):338-41. Millogo A, Siranyan AS. Knowledge of epilepsy and attitudes towards the condition among school-teachers in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). Epileptic Disord 2004;6(1):21-6. Masoudnia E. Awareness, understanding and attitudes towards epilepsy among Iranian ethnic groups. Seizure 2009;18(5):369-73. Fernandes PT, Noronha AL, Araujo U, Cabral P, Pataro R, de Boer HM, Prilipko L, Sander JW, Li LM. Teachers’ perception about epilepsy. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2007;65(1):28-34. Aydin K, Yildiz H.Teacher’s perceptions in central turkey concerning epilepsy and asthma and short term effect of a brief education on the perception of epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2007;10:280-90. Caixeta J, Frenandes PT, Bell GS, Sander JW, Li LM. Epilepsy perception amongst university students. A survey. Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2007;65 (suppl 1):43-8.