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Parental Knowledge and Perceptions of the First Episode of Seizure in Children: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study
Ankit Agarwal1,2, Aastha Gupta3, Jennifer N Nguyen2
1University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Parental knowledge gaps exist regarding pediatric seizures, with many caregivers lacking understanding of first-aid. Education is crucial to improve responses to childhood seizures and ensure timely medical care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Emergency Medicine
- Public Health Education
Background:
- First-time seizures in children are a significant concern for caregivers.
- Parental understanding impacts crucial aspects of medical intervention and pre-hospital care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate parental knowledge and perceptions of their child's first seizure.
- To identify knowledge deficits and factors contributing to misconceptions and delayed medical care.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to parents of children experiencing their first seizure.
- 100 parents participated in the study.
Main Results:
- 74% of parents could identify seizure symptoms.
- No parents demonstrated knowledge of appropriate pre-hospital seizure first aid.
- Higher parental education correlated with better knowledge scores (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- Significant gaps in parental knowledge and misconceptions about pediatric seizures were identified.
- Targeted educational interventions are necessary to enhance caregiver preparedness and improve outcomes for children with seizures.
Introduction:
Seizures in children are distressing events for caregivers, particularly when occurring for the first time. Parental knowledge and perceptions significantly influence the timeliness of medical intervention, pre-hospital management, and clinical outcomes.
Objectives:
This study aimed to assess parental knowledge and perceptions regarding their child's first seizure episode, identify gaps in understanding, and explore factors associated with misconceptions and delays in seeking medical care.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children presenting to the emergency department with a first-time seizure.
Results:
Among 100 respondents, 74% correctly identified seizure symptoms. However, none reported performing appropriate pre-hospital interventions or demonstrated knowledge of seizure-specific first-aid measures. Additionally, higher parental education was significantly associated with better knowledge scores (P < .05).
Conclusion:
This study reveals gaps in parental knowledge and a high prevalence of misconceptions related to pediatric seizures. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve caregiver responses and enhance care.
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