A survey of values and related factors among 200 guardians of children with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES

Epilepsy is a common disease in the pediatric neurology department; as it a chronic disease, many years are spent seeing doctors and taking drugs. The objective of the study is to understand the values of parents to help doctors to more effectively communicate and to improve patient compliance.

STUDY DESIGN

The study was designed to investigate guardians' values of children with epilepsy and analyze the relevant factors that may affect these values and the correlation of the guardians' values and medical decision making.

METHODS

Two hundred guardians (93 men and 107 women) of children with epilepsy from three hospitals in Wuhan, China, were selected at random and investigated by means of interview survey. Statistical analysis by ratio was conducted on the general data, whereas statistical analyses by Pearson and Spearman rank correlation were conducted for the relative factors.

RESULTS

A high educational level among male guardians indicated a strong tendency to read up on epilepsy, which influenced their care given. A high educational level among female guardians indicated better capability to take care of child patients and follow directions for antiepileptic drug administration. Female guardians were more likely to see the same doctors during a long disease period than male guardians.

CONCLUSION

The guardians' values were influenced by many factors, such as gender, education, and duration of disease. Guardians' values need to be considered as they are helpful for doctors in decision-making.