Knowledge of, attitudes toward, and perceptions of epilepsy among university students in Yemen

Abstract This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the knowledge and perceptions about epilepsy and the attitudes toward people with epilepsy (PWEs) among university students in Yemen. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 1155 students. Approximately 23% thought that epilepsy is a f...

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Published inEpilepsy & behavior Vol. 52; no. Pt A; pp. 102 - 107
Main Authors Al-Eryani, Bilguis, Saied, Khaled Ghilan, Sharaf Alddin, Reem, Al-Sobaihi, Saber, Lutf, Wesam, Al-Taiar, Abdullah
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 01.11.2015
Subjects
Attitudes
Cross-Sectional Studies
Epilepsy
Epilepsy - psychology
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Intellectual Disability - psychology
Knowledge
Male
Marriage
Mental Disorders - psychology
Neurology
Perceptions
Sex Factors
Students
Surveys and Questionnaires
Universities
University students
Yemen
Young Adult
Yemen
Attitudes
Perceptions
University students
Knowledge
Epilepsy
Yemen
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Summary:Abstract This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the knowledge and perceptions about epilepsy and the attitudes toward people with epilepsy (PWEs) among university students in Yemen. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 1155 students. Approximately 23% thought that epilepsy is a form of insanity, and 18% thought that it is a form of mental retardation. About 22% and 10% believed that evil spirits and an evil eye cause epilepsy, respectively. Similarly, 12% believed that children with epilepsy (CWEs) should be isolated from other children, while 12% and 14% thought that PWEs should not get married and should not have children, respectively. Approximately 23% of the students would not allow their child to play with CWEs, and 37% would not employ PWEs in a clerical job. Furthermore, 64% of the students would not agree to marry PWEs. Some misconceptions were strongly linked to attitudes toward PWEs. In conclusion, the negative attitudes toward PWEs among university students in Yemen were slightly more common compared with other settings in the Middle East and showed significant differences between genders which may warrant consideration when designing educational campaigns.
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ISSN:1525-5050
1525-5069
DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.08.011