Knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy and seizure first aid among school teachers in Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Teachers’ knowledge about epilepsy and seizures can have a significant effect on building well-educated and socially developed students. Hence, teachers’ positive behaviors encourage social acceptance of children with epilepsy from their classmates and prevent social stigmatization at school. In schools, seizures are a common emergency, and emergency management training is required for school teachers. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy and seizure first aid among school teachers in Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among school teachers in Al-Kharj City, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among teachers using an online survey. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and assessment of knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy and seizure first aid. Results: In total, 500 school teachers were included in this study. The most common age group was 31–40 years. The prevalence of teachers who had witnessed a student with a seizure attack was 32.4%. The levels of knowledge regarding epilepsy and seizure first aid were moderate, poor, and good in 50.2%, 47%, and 2.8% of the teachers, respectively. The factors associated with increased knowledge were older age (>40 years) and being a non-Saudi teacher. Conclusion: Despite adequate knowledge and attitude demonstrated by the school teachers, nearly half of them showed a lack of understanding about epilepsy and seizure first aid. More education and training are required among school teachers to narrow the gaps in their knowledge about epilepsy and seizuremanagement. Keywords Epilepsy, seizure first aid, school teachers, knowledge, attitude