Revisiting the public awareness, attitudes, and understanding towards epilepsy among Singapore residents.

Abstract

A survey to assess the familiarity, attitudes, and knowledge about epilepsy was done using a questionnaire identical to the one used in 1999. Two hundred forty-six people participated in our survey in 2017 as compared with 214 in the 1999 survey. In terms of familiarity about epilepsy, 76% had heard or read about epilepsy, 55.7% had witnessed a seizure, and 35.8% knew someone with epilepsy (85%, 56%, and 36% respectively in 1999). Forty point five percent were not familiar with or did not know what to do if they witnessed a seizure (44% in 1999); 25.6% would put something in the mouth of a person having a seizure (32% in 1999). In terms of attitudes towards epilepsy, 14.6% would object to their children associating with one with epilepsy while 19.9% would object to their children marrying a person with epilepsy (13% and 36% respectively in 1999). Only 43.1% would employ a person with epilepsy while 68.3% would employ if seizures do not interfere with the job (42 and 66% respectively in 1999). In terms of knowledge of seizures and epilepsy, 66.3% associated epileptic attack with convulsion (68% in 1999). Only 37.5% were aware of nonconvulsive forms of epilepsy (25% in 1999). Twenty-six point eight percent did not know what treatment to recommend to relatives/friends with epilepsy while 60.6% recommend western medicine (22% and 60% respectively in 1999). CONCLUSION: The awareness, attitudes, and understanding towards epilepsy does not seem to show any significant difference when compared with that in 1999. Reluctance to marry and employ a person with epilepsy persists. The awareness about first aid of a patient having a seizure, attitudes towards marrying a person with epilepsy, and the understanding of cause of epilepsy have shown some positive changes over 17 years.

• Authors: Tushar D Gosavi, Stella Wang, Siew Ju See, John Ng, Shih Hui Lim
• Journal: Epilepsy & behavior : E&B (Epilepsy Behav) Vol. 89 Pg. 143-147 (12 2018) ISSN: 1525-5069 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30415136 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Comprehension
• Employment
• Epilepsy
• Female
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Male
• Marriage
• Middle Aged
• Public Opinion
• Recognition, Psychology
• Singapore
• Young Adult