Epilepsy in Sri Lanka: public awareness and attitudes.

Public awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy were surveyed in Sri Lanka using a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents belonged to seven different occupational categories--school children, teachers, university students, medical students, student nurses, army personnel and adult education participants. The results showed that the knowledge was deficient in many aspects among all the groups and the attitudes towards epilepsy and epileptics were marginally positive. The knowledge appeared to be most widespread with regards to symptomatology and least in the areas of aetiology and treatment. A significant proportion of the respondents seemed to harbour mythical beliefs about the disease. The study indicates the need for better utilization of the health and educational infrastructure of the country in educating the public and special groups.