Syed Wasim Akhtar, Zarine Mogal, Shaukat Ali, Abdul Latif Sonija, Zafar Iqbal, Syed Munawar Ali, Husainuddin Afridi, Raza Malik, Abbas Lasi, Mohan Lal, Hiba Mahmud, Hasan Aziz.
Knowledge, attitude and practice of epilepsy among schoolteachers in pakistan.
Pak J Neurological Sci Jan ;11(3):20-5.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) concerning epilepsy among schoolteachers in Pakistan. No such study has previously been conducted in this country and results would help formulate a comprehensive plan of action to address this important issue. Methods: This cross-sectional study is a component of the School Awareness Workshop project held between October 2002 and December 2005 under the auspices of NGO-run Comprehensive Epilepsy Control Programme of Pakistan. Fourteen workshops were conducted in five cities of Pakistan using a structured 15-items questionnaire. Results: Total 535 questionnaires were analyzed. More than 80% of the respondents were employees of government-run schools; 61.5% females and 77.4% graduates and postgraduates. Mean age was 37.0 (±9.2) years. The mean KAP-score was 8.34 ± 2.38. Sixty-one percent were acquainted with a person with epilepsy. Epilepsy was not considered a commonly prevalent condition by 82.7% yet 69.0% believed no age was immune. Common considered causes of epilepsy included brain-electrical-abnormality (55.0%) and stress and tension (37.4%). Epilepsy was considered hereditary by 21.5% and transmissible by 10.1%. Suggested first-aid measures included putting a spoon in mouth (21.1%) and shoe-smelling (15.7%). About 30% were unaware that epilepsy is treatable. Three-fourths believed a child with epilepsy could study in normal schools and half opined about a negative impact of society on people with epilepsy. More than seventy percent supported marriage and child-bearing.Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge about epilepsy and its treatment was observed amongst schoolteachers in Pakistan. However, their attitude towards the affected was generally positive and majority supported education of children with epilepsy in normal schools.

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