Knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy in some Taegu-kyungbook residents

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 15(2); 1997 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1997;15(2): 257-266.

대구 경북지역 일부 주민의 간질에 대한 지식과 태도

이예이, 김성수, 임정근, 이상도, 박영춘

계명대학교 의대 신경과

Knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy in some Taegu-kyungbook residents

Yeigh Lee, M.D., Sung Soo Kim, M.D., Jeong Geun Lim, M.D., Sang Doe Yi, M.D., Young Choon Park, M.D.

Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University

Abstract

The previous studies had shown that our society had stigma about epilepsy. These studies were not enough to establish practical and concrete educational program for the general population. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude toward epilepsy in general population. The subjects consist of the population of 1722 apparently healthy persons who reside in Taegu city and Kyungpook province. The questionnaire consists of 39 items concerning knowledge of epilepsy and 20 items of attitude toward epilepsy and epileptic patients. Seventy percent of respondents answered that epileptics have grand mal seizure as their unique type of seizure. Sixty-eight percent were not confident of drug therapy for epilepsy, and 53% considered that epilepsy is a genetic disorder. The score of negative attitude toward car driving and marriage in epileptics was high. The score of knowledge of epilepsy and of attitude toward epilepsy and epileptics show a significant correlation with age and level of education. Although the group of public servant, teacher and professor had relatively high score in knowledge of epilepsy, they had much more negative attitude toward driving and marriage of epileptics. The group of nurse-teacher had higher knowledge and much more affirmative attitude. It is suggested that an educational program to epilepsy should have special emphasis on the etiology, type of epilepsy and efficacy of medical treatment in epilepsy.