Attitude toward epilepsy after media coverage of car accidents related to persons with epilepsy in Japan.

We compared the familiarity with and attitude toward epilepsy among nonmedical students before and after media coverage on car accidents related to persons with epilepsy in Japan. We have annually conducted a questionnaire survey on attitude toward epilepsy since 2008. We divided students into two groups: pre-accident era (years 2008-2010) and post-accident era (years 2011-2012). The rate of students who have read or heard about epilepsy was significantly higher in the post-accident era. Students in the post-accident era answered more frequently that they do not oppose the idea of their kids playing or attending school with children with epilepsy, they think that people with epilepsy should be hired in the same way as other people, and they do not oppose the idea of their children one day marrying a person with epilepsy. The results of our study show that media coverage of car accidents related to persons with epilepsy positively affected familiarity with and attitude toward epilepsy.