Characteristics of the knowledge and attitudes of medical students about epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world. False knowledge and attitudes related to epilepsy both complicate the social lives of patients and adversely affect their academic development. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of the medical students about epilepsy. Seven hundred twenty-three students participated in the study. A questionnaire including demographic information and Epilepsy Knowledge and Attitude Scales was given to the students. The first 3 years students were accepted as preclinical group, and the last 3 years were accepted as clinical group. Previously, the rate of hearing about epilepsy was 87.8%, and the reading rate was 69%. Both hearing and reading rates were higher in the clinical group. The total knowledge score was higher in all groups who had heard and read about epilepsy, witness an epileptic seizure, and know someone with epilepsy. The total attitude score did not change with witness an epileptic seizure and know someone with epilepsy. Though total knowledge score was similar between genders, total attitude score was higher in males. Although the total knowledge score was higher in the clinical group, the total attitude score was similar.