Knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy among homeroom teachers of children with epilepsy in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVE

Significant attention has been devoted to knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy among teachers, and the importance of their previous experience with epilepsy has been proved. However, no information about a specific group of homeroom teachers is available despite their importance in forming a positive climate in class and preventing related stigma. Thus, we aim to evaluate knowledge of and attitudes towards epilepsy in this group and compare the results with previously studied groups of 136 teachers in training and 123 primary school teachers not having, in most cases, experience with children with epilepsy.

METHODS

One hundred and four homeroom teachers of children with epilepsy attending mainstream schools were involved in the study. They fulfilled an 18-item knowledge test, a 5-item questionnaire focusing on epilepsy-related self-confidence, and a 21-item Czech version of the Attitudes Towards People with Epilepsy scale. All instruments were used and validated in our previous research focusing on the other groups of teachers, making possible the direct comparison of the results.

RESULTS

We found that homeroom teachers had significantly better knowledge of epilepsy (total score of 11.75 ± 2.29 points compared with 10.21 ± 2.08 points for primary school teachers and 9.60 ± 2.08 points for teachers in training) as well as more positive attitudes (30.81 ± 11.11 vs. 24.80 ± 11.01, and 25.81 ± 10.20, respectively). Regarding self-confidence, homeroom teachers were comparable with primary school teachers (total score of 18.31 ± 3.74 compared with 17.71 ± 3.86) but significantly better than teachers in training (16.37 ± 3.20).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that despite having a higher level of epilepsy-related knowledge, self-confidence, and attitudes, homeroom teachers still have significant shortages in some specific issues, especially regarding the ability to recognize the adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs. Tailored education interventions focusing on these groups and topics are thus highly needed.