Assessing knowledge of symptoms and first-aid care of epilepsy in Grenada, West Indies.

Assessing knowledge of symptoms and first-aid care of epilepsy in Grenada, West Indies. Epilepsy Behav. 2017 Apr 24;70(Pt A):232-237 Authors: Cofano SC, Ojukwu D, Mozumdar N, Raza Z, Saigal S, Musku S, Zar S, Merolla M, Jalonen TO Abstract Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that is increasingly prevalent in developing countries. It is critical to provide appropriate support to patients during seizures in order to prevent injuries. False beliefs regarding the etiology or pathogenesis of the epilepsy and inadequate health information may put patients with epilepsy or other seizure disorders at increased risk of injury. Our objective was to assess the level of epilepsy awareness amongst the general population in Grenada and educate the participants regarding proper first-aid measures. A pilot questionnaire containing a total of 25 items surveying the knowledge, attitudes, and first-aid care of epilepsy was presented to 200 adult residents of Grenada as face-to-face interviews. Study participants were recruited over a nine-month period on a voluntary basis at health fairs, in local communities, and on the campus of St. George's University. Our results indicate that 35 out of 198 (17.7%) respondents erroneously believed that medicine should be placed in a person's mouth during a seizure, and 83 out of 200 (41.5%) answered that a person who is convulsing should be held down. Furthermore, 128 out of 195 (65.6%) respondents erroneou...
Source: Epilepsy and Behaviour - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Epilepsy Behav Source Type: research