Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Epilepsy and Seizure First Aid Among Male Teachers in Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

​​Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the pediatric age group, and teachers have a crucial role in providing appropriate epilepsy first aid. This study aims to assess the knowledge of and attitude toward epilepsy and seizure first aid among male teachers in the Mecca region, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used an online self-administered questionnaire. A 22-item questionnaire was distributed via social media platforms between November 18, 2021, and February 15, 2022. The study used descriptive statistics to describe the participants' characteristics, and relations were tested using the Pearson chi-square test.

RESULTS

Of 385 male teachers, approximately two-thirds (57.9%) of teachers had poor knowledge of epilepsy and its first aid, 86.5% of teachers were aware that epilepsy is a neurological disorder, 67% correctly reported that during epileptic seizures, they should ensure the patient's safety and seek help, 37.7% of teachers knew when they should transfer the students to the hospital, and 45.3% who had a positive attitude towards children with epilepsy had good knowledge regarding the disease (P=.010). Only 13% had training on how to deal with seizures.

CONCLUSION

Overall knowledge of epilepsy and its first aid among schoolteachers in Mecca is still inadequate. It necessitates the inclusion of a nationwide, specialized educational epilepsy program into the teacher training curriculum.