Primary school teachers’ health literacy levels, knowledge, and attitudes toward childhood epilepsy

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine primary school teachers’ health literacy levels, knowledge and attitudes towards childhood epilepsy in the province of Iğdır in the east of Turkey. MethodThis descriptive and cross-sectional study involved 247 primary school teachers in the province of Iğdır in the east of Turkey between March and April 2021. The questionnaire form, the social attitude towards childhood epilepsies scale (SATCES), and the European health literacy scale (EHLS) were used in data collection. Normal distribution of data was evaluated by analytical methods (Kolmogorov–Smirnov/Shapiro–Wilk tests). An independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. ResultsDuring an epileptic seizure, 63.1% of the teachers stated that they would try to open locked jaw by putting something between teeth. A statistically significant difference was found between the age of the teachers and the total mean score of SATCES (p < 0.05).A statistically significant difference was found between the gender of the teachers and the mean score of the affective and behavioral attitudes sub-dimension of the SATCES (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the age of the teachers and the total mean score of the EHLS (p < 0.05). The health literacy scores of the teachers between the ages of 31 and 38 were significantly higher than the teachers over the age of 46. ConclusionThe main findings of this study indicated the inadequate and wrong information of the teachers, and a positive attitude about epilepsy among primary school teachers. ImplicationsIt is recommended that health professionals organize training programs to In order to correct the inadequate and erroneous knowledge of teachers about epilepsy.