JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Epilepsy is a chronic disease described by periodic seizures that result from abnormal integrated firing impulses in the brain. It is one of the commonest neurological disorders. Over the past few years, there has been increasing awareness about the effect of having a child with epilepsy has on parents and the reciprocal impact of parental knowledge and attitudes regarding epilepsy on the affected child.

Objective:

We aimed to assess parental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour towards their epileptic children

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 through the pediatric neurology department of KAU hospital, western region of KSA, Jeddah. A sample size of 115 Out of 332 parents who have a child diagnosed with epilepsy and aged 18 years old or younger recruited for this study. statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21. independent T-test, chi-square test, one way ANOVA and correlation were applied .

Results:

115 participant answered the questionnaire, 65 (56.5%) were men with an average age of 40.3, and The mean age of the children was 9.0. Almost 73.9% of children were taken care of by both of their parents. Mean parental knowledge score, was 7.49 ± 2.08 out of 12, and it was significantly related to the educational level of the parent ( P= 0.004). Mean parental attitude score was 26.51 ± 4.284 out of 35, and there was no significant relation with the educational level of parents (p=0.130). Mean parental behavioural score was 23.35 ± 4.121 out of 35, and there was no significant relation with the educational level of the parents (P=0.239).

Conclusions:

Parental knowledge in our sample still needs improvement. Therefore, more awareness campaigns should be made for the community and for the parents of affected children to create a supportive environment for the children and help them thrive and develop.