Views of primary and secondary school teachers of childhood epilepsy and asthma

Abstract

Epilepsy and asthma are 2 common chronic medical conditions that are seen in school-age children. Both are characterized by paroxysmal attacks that require prolonged medication and regular clinic attendance. Since teacher's attitudes and perception of chronic condi t ions affect s s tudent ' s academic performance and adjustment in the class, this study compares teachers' knowledge and attitude to these ailments. Six hundred sel f -admini s tered standardized questionnaires were given to teachers in public schools (primary and secondary) in Ilorin metropolis, the capital of Kwara State. The response rate was 88%. Respondents were 35% males and 65% females with age range of 20 to 67years (mean of 35.±8.9). All the teachers had been educated for 12years, but there health educational knowledge about epilepsy and asthma appear inadequate. However, responses were more in favor of asthma than epilepsy.About 21% and 4% of teachers associated epilepsy and asthma with insanity respectively. Forty-eight percent of participants indicated that epilepsy was contractible through saliva, compared to 13% that held same opinion of asthma (P Keywords: Teachers-Epilepsy-Asthma-Attitude-Perceptio