A Study of Knowledge Attitude and Self Perception on Epilepsy in the Persons suffering from Epilepsy and their Care Givers

Abstract

Background: A study of Knowledge Attitude and Self Perception on Epilepsy in persons suffering fromEpilepsy and their Care Givers. Methodology: This study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry, Government General Hospital, Guntur,Andhra Pradesh which has both outpatient clinics and inpatient admissions for the Epileptic patients and equipped with EEG and Brain Imaging facilities. This is a Cross Sectional, Purposive Sampling,Quantitative Study. Results:We have found significant differences between PWE (Patients with Epilepsy) and controls, particularly with respect to the understanding of and attitudes toward Epilepsy.Patients and Care Givers showed similar attitudes and behaviors, perhaps because they had common information and experience regarding the disorder.May be true for the average comparisons between Patients with Epilepsy and controls, we must take into account during clinical practice that these problems occur predominantly in the minority of patients with refractory epilepsy.The level of knowledge deviated significantly from the scientific data, especially in the causes of Epilepsy, safety issues, and side effects of Anti Epileptic Drugs.Conclusion: Disease characteristics should guide clinical decision-making in patients with Epilepsy.