Knowledge and Perception About Epilepsy in Children Among School Teachers

Abstract

ABSTRACT:As there are only limited studies on the knowledge and perception about epilepsy, we undertook this study among school teachers with a pilot tested questainnaire 36% had no knowledge and just over half of them (56%) believed that epilepsy can be cured while 40% of them felt that children suffering from epilepsy could be allowed to play without supervision of a responsible adult. A little over a quarter of them still believed in placing a key in the child's palm when having a seizure. Most (82.5%) of the teachers have not yet performed a first aid management for a child having a seizure. A focused health education programme, including workshops for teachers which will not only sensitise them but also change their perspective towards children with epilepsy is the need of the hour.