Knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy: A survey of high school students in Germany. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jansen, Paula; Neininger, Martina P.; Bernhard, Matthias K.; Kiess, Wieland; Merkenschlager, Andreas; Bertsche, Thilo; Bertsche, Astrid
• Is Part Of: Seizure. Volume 51(2017)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 144
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: SEC school school located next to a specialised epilepsy centre; Survey -- Adolescents -- Seizures -- Epidemiology -- Stigma; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; Seizures -- Periodicals; Épilepsie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2017.08.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-1311

Abstract

Highlights: 1 in 5 high school students thinks epilepsy is caused by emotional strain. 1 in 5 high school students would not date a person suffering from epilepsy. 1 in 5 high school students has misconceptions about first aid in case of a seizure. 1 in 3 high school students would not tell their class if they had epilepsy. Some differences were found regarding students living close to an epilepsy centre. Abstract: Purpose: Attitudes concerning epilepsy improved over the last few decades, but children with epilepsy still suffer from stigmatisation. Data about unaffected children's knowledge of and attitudes about epilepsy is scarce. Methods: We developed a questionnaire regarding epilepsy for high school students attending 8th–10th grade. The survey was performed from October 2015 to March 2016 in 5 different federal states of Germany. Results: 1092 students [mean age (Q25/75): 14.5 (14/15) years] participated. 542/1092 (50%) of the respondents knew that people could die from a seizure. 216/1092 (20%) thought emotional strain could cause epilepsy. Asked for measures they would perform in case of a seizure, 235/1092 (24%) participants would hold the person to the ground, and 182/1092 (19%) would put a solid object into the person's mouth. 28/1092 (3%) would not like to be friends with a person with epilepsy, and 237/1092 (22%) would not like to go on a date with a person with epilepsy. Answers of 342/1092 (31%) students of a school located nearby a specialised epilepsy centre differed in some questions. The latter students were more familiar with epilepsy and showed better knowledge concerning causes, symptoms and treatment of epilepsy. In a question about special characteristics of people with epilepsy, 63/342 (18%) [other schools: 52/750 (11%)] answered people with epilepsy were friendlier and 76/342 (22%) [other schools: 49/750 (11%)] answered they were more sociable compared to people without epilepsy. Conclusion: To improve knowledge and attitudes and reduce misconceptions further education seems necessary.