Comparison of epilepsy and asthma perception among preschool teachers in Taiwan.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate preschool teachers' perceptions to children with epilepsy and asthma in middle areas of Taiwan.

METHODS

Two-hundred sixteen preschool teachers were investigated with a questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude, and practice. There were 22 questions in the questionnaire (half of the questions were for epilepsy, and others for asthma). Differences between teachers' perceptions of children with epilepsy and asthma were analyzed.

RESULTS

More teachers thought epilepsy was a hereditary disease and asthma was an acquired disease. Over 30% of participants thought epileptic seizures were associated with insanity but asthma attacks were not. Acceptance of children with epilepsy was significantly lower than that of children with asthma. Children with epilepsy were less encouraged by teachers to play with others. Teachers have more consideration for aggression of children with epilepsy than of those with asthma. More teachers were worried about the objection from the other parents if there were a child with epilepsy in the class.

CONCLUSIONS

Perceptions of epilepsy and asthma among preschool teachers were different significantly. The finding may explain why the children with epilepsy showed lower school performance among the children with chronic illness in past studies.