Prior Knowledge of Epilepsy Predicts Positive Attitudes and Practices Toward Persons Living With Epilepsy

Epilepsy-associated misconceptions may put persons living with epilepsy (PLWE) at risk of developing psychological disorders, resulting in a decrease in social contact.

Understanding knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) about epilepsy is essential in developing strategies to dispel these epilepsy-associated myths and misconceptions.

This cross-sectional study assessed the KAP relating to epilepsy among undergraduate university students and traders in Ghana using a structured questionnaire.

Of the 532 participants surveyed, the majority were aware of epilepsy (95.3%), although 65.8% had poor/inadequate knowledge. Misconceptions were evident, as 25.9% of the participants reported that epilepsy is due to ancestral sin. Regarding attitudes toward epilepsy, 27.6% were positive, but 84.2% acknowledged societal discrimination against PLWE. A third of the participants exhibited good/appropriate practices toward PLWE. The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between males and females on the possession of adequate knowledge about epilepsy (male = 282.75 and female = 251.43, p = 0.018, n = 532) as well as practices toward PLWE (male = 287.34 and female = 247.17, p = 0.002, n = 532). Also, knowledge about epilepsy (χ² = 20.324, p = 0.018) and attitude toward PLWE (χ² = 11.880, p = 0.036) vary by age group, as shown by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Prior knowledge about epilepsy significantly predicted positive attitudes [AOR: 95% CI (2.794, 10.938), p = 0.000] and practices [AOR: 95% CI (0.675, 9.137), p = 0.003] toward PLWE.

Overall, there is the need for targeted educational interventions to correct misconceptions and improve KAP about epilepsy.