Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Social Work, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Central University of Karnataka, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India
2 Biostatistics, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The condition of epilepsy has a considerable effect on a person’s social and
personal life. Currently, a knowledge gap exists regarding the knowledge, attitude, and perception
towards epilepsy among graduate students. The objectives of the study were to initially explore the
knowledge, attitude, practices and to examine their inter‑relationship among graduate students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 300 3rd year Bachelor of Science graduate students from
colleges near Hombegowda nagar, Bangalore, Karnataka were included from three colleges. To
achieve the objective mentioned, an instrument was framed and approved by specialists in the field.
RESULTS: About 26% believed that epilepsy is a mental illness, 64% reported that it is not a disease of
the brain, 96% believed it to be a hereditary disease. Attitude shows that 29%, 33%, and 49% believed
that Epilepsy can disturb anybody’s normal life, education, and occupation, respectively. About
31% reported that if they see a person with epileptic attack they ran away. Knowledge score have
significantly (P < 0.001) positive correlation of r = 0.810 and r = 0.794 with both attitude and practice,
respectively. Attitude and practice also have significantly (P < 0.001) positive correlation (0.856) with
practice. This clearly shows that if knowledge increases, persons will have positive attitude and good
practices whereas less knowledge leads to faulty attitude and practices.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to include health education programs for school children and
college students irrespective of streams, as it is crucial to bring an alteration in the presently observed
perspective, behavior, and practice.
Keywords
Familiarity with, understanding of, and attitudes toward epilepsy
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