Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Perception about Epilepsy and the Relationship with Discrimination of Children with Epilepsy in Jos, Plateau State

Abstract

Introduction: Children with epilepsy are often challenged with stigmatization and discrimination, asides from the clinical effects of the disorder. This has been attributed to, among other things, poor knowledge, attitude and perception of teachers and co-learners about the disorder.
Aim: The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of epilepsy among members of school communities in Jos and determine how it relates to the discrimination of children with epilepsy.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire among 437 secondary school teachers and students in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. The 59-item scale comprised 36 knowledge items, 7 attitude items and 16 perception items. Chi-square and Odds ratio were used to test the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance.
Result: Only about one third had good knowledge of epilepsy, (32.5% of study population). Overall, the attitude and perception of the respondents about epilepsy were good, but there were some discriminatory items exhibited. Those who had poor knowledge, attitude and perception had over three times the odds of discriminating against children with epilepsy. (OR 3.7, 95% CI=1.76-7.83). Majority, (88.3%) indicated interest in knowing more about how to respond to a child with epilepsy.
Conclusion: There is a need to educate members of the school about epilepsy and train them on first aid care to give a child who convulses in school. There is also a need to advocate for legislation against stigmatization and discrimination of children with epilepsy.