Knowledge, attitude and practice among caregivers of patients of epilepsy attending tertiary health care centre, Malwa region: A pilot study

Dr. V. S. Pal; Dr. Kapil Dev Arya

Volume : VI, Issue : XI, November - 2017

Knowledge, attitude and practice among caregivers of patients of epilepsy attending tertiary health care centre, Malwa region: A pilot study

Dr. V. S. Pal, Dr. Kapil Dev Arya

Abstract :

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of epilepsy among non epileptic persons attending tertiary health centre of Malwa region suffering from illness and Secondary data from this study was compared with KAP studies from other parts of country.

Material and Methods: six hundred and forty non epileptic persons attending OPDs of Mental Hospital Indore, Department of psychiatry, MGM Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh were selected randomly. Printed questionnaire having answer yes or no were used for assessment of KAP. This questionnaire was used by various authors and validated for KAP analysis.

Results: It was revealed that word epilepsy was heard by 94% of persons, 64% thought that epilepsy is a mental illness. Twenty three percent believe it to be contagious disease while 21% attribute it to previous life sin. Social discrimination was favored by 53% persons. Negative attitude is shown as more than half persons stated that epilepsy is hindrance to marriage and occupation. Holy treatment by tantric or priest was favored by 20% persons. More than one third persons use onion, shoe or splash water on face to terminate seizure episode.

Conclusion: Study on persons of attending health centre revealed poor KAP for epilepsy and require more structured and gross root level seated educational programme to spread awareness about illness and availability of effective treatment regimes and remove misconception as well.