INTRODUCTION:

“Having epilepsy doesn’t take away your right to live as a free and dignified citizen you are still capable of fulfilling all your dreams”

According to WHO epilepsy is defined as having” two or more unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy is one of the world's oldest recognized conditions, with written records dating back to 4000 BC. Fear, misunderstanding, discrimination and social stigma have surrounded epilepsy for centuries. This stigma continues in many countries and can affect the quality of life for people with the disease and their families.

NEED OF THE STUDY:

The prevalence of epilepsy is 1 per cent in Indian population. Therefore, people are supposed to have low level of knowledge regarding the disease. Many misconceptions continue to prevail in the community that nurtures negative attitude towards epilepsy because of lack of knowledge. Assessing and providing accurate knowledge can help in changing the attitude of the students and as they are supposed to serve the society in future, they can spread light in the society.

A descriptive research study conducted in south India in 2019 focused on assessing parental knowledge attitude and perceptions about epilepsy as well as addressing the sociocultural barriers to it is treatment. Parents of 60 children suffering from epilepsy in the age group of 4-15 years were interviewed. Around 37.7% parents attributed seizures to evil spirits or supernatural powers, 52.5% to mental illness, 72.1% were influenced by families to seek spiritual or traditional treatment.⁴

A study was conducted in Uganda among 217 adults (above 18 years) by using standardized attitude questionnaire. Many of the participants have poor knowledge about epilepsy with a knowledge scale score of 4.57 were the maximum score was 11. Also, most of them have negative attitude towards epilepsy with a mean ATPE attitude score of 73.2 were the maximum was 126. Majority of them believed that epilepsy is due to some supernatural powers and preferred traditional treatment. This study says that improvement in the knowledge can change the attitude of people towards epilepsy.³

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding epilepsy among undergraduate students in a selected college at Pathanamthitta district.

OBJECTIVES:

· To determine the knowledge regarding epilepsy among undergraduate students by a structured knowledge questionnaire.

· To determine the attitude about epilepsy among undergraduate students using Likert attitude scale.

· To determine the association between pre test knowledge and selected demographic variables.

· To find out the association between pretest attitude and selected demographic variables.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION:

Structured teaching programme on epilepsy:

A systemically organized instructional programme using power point presentation and video for a duration of 30 minutes to provide information about definition, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, common misconceptions of epilepsy, management including first aid, medical, nursing management and do’s and don’ts towards epilepsy patient to improve attitude.

Knowledge on epilepsy:

Information regarding definition, etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of epilepsy.

Attitude on epilepsy:

One's way of thinking about epilepsy and accepting something especially without any proof.

Undergraduate students:

Non-medical undergraduate students between the age group of 18-21 years.

HYPOTHESES:

H1: There is significant difference between pretest and post test knowledge score.

H2: There is significant difference between pretest and post test attitude score.

H3: There is a significant association between pretest attitude and selected baseline variables.

H4: There is a significant association between pretest knowledge and selected baseline variable.

METHODOLOGY:

Description about tool:

Instrument was developed through an intensive review of literature viewed from books and electronic media. Opinion from experts and also informal discussion with health personnel and guide.

A: Baseline Performa:

Baseline Performa is related to selected variables. It consists of age, gender, religion, type of family, type of residence, previous knowledge about epilepsy, health care worker in family, ever seen an epileptic episode and family history.

B: Structured knowledge questionnaire:

The researcher assessed the knowledge level of undergraduate students regarding epilepsy by providing structured knowledge questionnaire. It includes 30 multiple choice questions. Based on the score undergraduate student’s knowledge was categorized into three groups

· Good knowledge: 25-30

· Average knowledge: 15-24

· Poor knowledge: < 15

C: Likert attitude scale:

The researcher assessed the attitude of the undergraduate students about epilepsy by providing Likert attitude scale. It consists of 15 statements. Based on the score undergraduate students’ attitude was categorized into three groups:

· Positive attitude: 50-75

· Neutral: 25-49

· Negative attitude:<25

Data Collection Process:

Permission is obtained from the concerned authority. Sample of 40 undergraduate students were selected. The data was collected of from the period of 16/11/22-23/11/22. Investigator used purposive sampling to select the sample. The pre-test was conducted using Baseline Performa structured knowledge questionnaire and Likert attitude scale. It took 30 minutes for them to complete it. After pretest intervention given to the participants about epilepsy. After one week post test score of knowledge and attitude was assessed

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION:

SECTION I: Distribution of Sample Based on Baseline Variables

Most of the participants in the study were coming under 19 yrs (40%). More participants in the study were males (55%).Majority of the samples who participated in the study were Christians (55%). Most of the participants who participated in the study were from nuclear families (75%).Most of the subjects in the study were from urban area (37%). Majority of the subjects who participated in the study had no previous knowledge about epilepsy (63%). Most of the participants in the study had no healthcare workers in their family (75%). Majority of the subjects in the study had never seen an epileptic episode (75%). All of the samples who participated in the study had no family history of epilepsy (100%).

SECTION II: The Effect of Intervention on Knowledge and Attitude:

The investigator identified that in pre- test no one had good or average knowledge regarding epilepsy and in post- test 26(65%) students had good knowledge, 14(35%) students had average knowledge The investigator identified that in pre- test only 1(2.5%) student had negative attitude, 33(82.5%) students had neutral attitude, 6(15%) had positive attitude regarding epilepsy and in post- test 39 students had positive attitude and only one had neutral attitude.

Fig:1-Pre and post knowledge score

Table 1: Effect intervention on knowledge regarding epilepsy

Variable

Mean

T value

P value

Pre knowledge

7.38

1.57

28.47

0.000

Post Knowledge

25.60

3.17

Table 2: Pre and post attitude score

Variable	Positive	Neutral	Negative
Pre-Attitude	6	33	1
Post Attitude	39	1	0

Table 3: Effect of intervention on attitude score

Variable

Mean

S.D

T Value

P Value

Attitude -pre

40.79

18.35

0.000

Attitude- post

69.60

7.50

SECTION III: Association between baseline variables and pretest knowledge scores:

The association between pre-test knowledge score and selected baseline variables were analyzed using chi-square test. There was no association.

SECTION IV: Association between Baseline Variables and Pretest Attitude Scores:

Chi square test is used to determine the association. There is no association with the pre-test attitude scores and selected baseline variable.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

This study mainly focused to assess the effect of STP on knowledge and attitude regarding epilepsy among undergraduate students in a selected college at Pathanamthitta district.

The conceptual frame wok used for the study was Von Bertalanffy General System Theory.The approach used in the study was quantitative and the research design was one group pretest post test design. The sample size size was 40 and purposive sampling used for the study. Administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge and Likert attitude scale to assess attitude on epilepsy. Following the pre-test, the teaching programme conducted. After 7 days post test is conducted. Data analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Baseline variables were described in terms of frequency and percentage. The investigator identified that in pre- test all (100%) students had poor knowledge, no one had good knowledge regarding epilepsy and in post- test 26 (65%) students had good knowledge, 14(35%) students had average knowledge and no one had poor knowledgeThe investigator identified that in pre- test only 1(2.5%) student had negative attitude, 33 (82.5%) students had neutral attitude, 6 (15%) had good positive attitude regarding epilepsy and in post- test 39 students had positive attitude and one had neutral attitude.

A cross sectional study was conducted in Uganda with 217 adults (above 18 years) by using standardized attitude questionnaire. Most of the respondents have low level of knowledge about epilepsy with a knowledge scale score of 4.57 were the maximum score was 11. Also, most of them have negative attitude towards epilepsy with a mean ATPE attitude score of 73.2 were the maximum was 126.Most of them believed that epilepsy is due to some supernatural powers and preferred traditional treatment. This study says that improvement in the knowledge can change the attitude of people towards epilepsy.²

A cross sectional study conducted in rural parts of Ethiopia in 2021 aimed at assessing the knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among rural residence in Southern Ethiopia. 732 randomly selected residents were interviewed using a questionnaire. The magnitude of knowledge and unfavourable attitude towards epilepsy were 27.0 and 51.6% respectively. Stigma related to epilepsy, poor knowledge, age and perceiving epilepsy as a punishment from God were significantly associated with unfavourable attitude.¹

A two staged door to door survey was conducted in Kanchipuram district of Tamilnadu in the year of 2016. The aim was to assess knowledge attitude and practice of rural people in south India. They used 14 item questionnaires to assess knowledge, attitude and practice and 10 item questionnaires to assess the prevalence. About 87.7% of people had heard about epilepsy 23.1% believed it’s a hereditary 22.6% it’s a kind of insanity 12% believed it is contagious.⁵

NURSING IMPLICATIONS:

The nurse has an important role in making awareness among public about epilepsy.

Nursing Education:

· Special importance should be given in knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy in the curriculum. It will help the nurse to identify problems, stigma and to take the corrective measures and enable them to make plans to promote the knowledge and positive attitude towards epilepsy.

· Nurses should conduct public awareness programs to update knowledge and attitude of public towards epilepsy.

Nursing Administration:

· Nursing administrators should emphasize, encourage and arrange proper facilities for the nurses to conduct conference, workshops related to epilepsy.

· Nurse administrator can give awareness on epilepsy in hospitals for patients and care givers.

· Nurse administrators should prepare booklets about epilepsy, then issue it too public.

· Nurse administrator should provide adequate audio-visual aids for giving health education that can be screened in waiting areas and outpatient clinics in the hospital to create awareness among patients and family.

Nursing Practice:

Nurse needs to take up the responsibility to create awareness among public regarding epilepsy. Nurse working in the community can plan teaching programme on epilepsy to make awareness among public. Nurse can teach about epilepsy to patients coming in outpatient clinics.

Nursing Research:

· Study can be conducted on the effectiveness of STP on epilepsy.

· Studies can be conducted with wider samples

· The research can be replicated in various settings with different samples.

· The abstract can the published in various journals or publications for the dissemination of research findings.

LIMITATIONS:

· Data collection was limited to undergraduate students.

· Study was confined to one college.

· Generalization of the finding is difficult because of small sample size.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

· Longitudinal study can be conducted for assessing knowledge,attitude regarding epilepsy.

· A study can be conducted on different age groups.

REFERENCES:

1. Molla A, Mekuriaw B, Habtamu E, Mareg M. Knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among rural residents in southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Dec; 21(1): 1-9.

2. Kaddumukasa M, Kakooza A, Kayima J, Kaddumukasa MN, Ddumba E, Mugenyi L, Furlan A, Lhatoo S, Sajatovic M, Katabira E. Community knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy in rural and urban Mukono district, Uganda: a cross-sectional study. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2016 Jan 1; 54: 7-11.

3. Kiwanuka F, Anyango Olyet C. Knowledge, attitude, and beliefs on epilepsy among adults in Erute South, Lira District, Uganda. Epilepsia Open. 2018 Jun; 3(2): 264-9.

4. Sureshbabu S, Moosan H, Joseph M, Haseena CV, Lekshmi R, Naz A, Muralikrishnan VP, Mohanlal S, Alappat PJ, Tushar VP, Nayak D. Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of epilepsy in Wayanad, Kerala. Epilepsy and Behavior. 2022 Aug 1; 133: 108762.

5. Murthy MK, Govindappa L, Marimuthu P, Dasgupta M. Exploring knowledge, attitude, and practices in relation to epilepsy among undergraduates for effective health promotion: Initial evaluation. Journal of Education and Health Promotion. 2019; 8.

Received on 31.12.2024 Revised on 25.01.2025

Accepted on 12.02.2025 Published on 22.02.2025

Available online from March 20, 2025

Int. J. Nursing Education and Research. 2025;13(1):31-35.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2025.00007

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