What Saudi teachers know about epilepsy: A cross-sectional study of Tabuk City

This study was conducted to evaluate awareness, knowledge, and attitudes of teachers toward the disease in Tabuk City in north Saudi Arabia and identify areas in which training and education are required.

Data were collected from 349 school teachers using a structured 28-item questionnaire. Data were collected between December 2017 and May 2018 in Tabuk City.

In general, the study shows a negative trend in knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy. The majority of the participants (84%) have read or heard about epilepsy, and more than half (67%) had witnessed a seizure. Epilepsy was considered contagious and psychological by 1.7% and 56%, respectively. Regarding attitude, 68% would not approve a son/daughter marriage to a person with epilepsy. This attitude correlates to the level of education as the percentage is higher for those who hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree, p < 0.05. Even though 84% of the participants reported knowing how to help a patient during a seizure, the majority of the participants had incorrect procedures, holding the legs and arms and believing that smelling onions is helpful to end the seizure. Moreover, almost half of the participants (46%) believed that a person with epilepsy cannot be successful in high-ranking professions. This belief was found to be more common in females than their counterparts, p < 0.05.

School teachers' knowledge about epilepsy needs improvement. A focus on educational interventions about epilepsy are needed to develop a well-informed and tolerant community.