Evaluation of Family functioning among parents of epileptic patients

Abstract

Epilepsy has aggregate of risk characteristic’s as, age of onset, triggering factors, genetics, natural history, prognosis, and it is not a condition based on single aspect or cause. Due to social problems, family functioning of epileptic patients suffers badly. The basic purpose of the study is to investigate the role of family functioning of the parents who has epileptic patients. Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted at Muzaffargarh Hospital Neurology OPD department. Total 36 parents were enrolled. All parents of children, who have 8 to18 years of age, which are diagnosis of epilepsy, were included in current study Data was collected on a predesign questionnaire and for family functioning the Family Assessment Device (FAD) was used. Statistical analysis was performed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (spss) version 26. The frequencies, proportions were calculated for Qualitative variables and Mean + SD were calculated for quantitative variables. Results: The mean age of parents was 38.58+7.55 and children were 12.31+3.34. Out of 36 participants 12(33.3%) were males whereas 24(66.7%) were females. Majority of parents were holding secondary degree 13(36.1%), were unemployed 24(66.7%), 21(58.3%) were from rural area and dealing with generalized seizure type children 24(66.7%). The average seizures frequency per month was 2.64+1.15. The families of epileptic patients were more dysfunctional, especially in terms of problem solving (2.66+0.43), behavior control (2.68+0.49), affective involvement (2.62+0.64) and also family’s faces difficulties in finding their role (2.48+0.56). Conclusion: The families of epileptic patients have more dysfunctional, especially in terms of problem solving, behavior control, affective involvement and also families faces difficulties in finding their role. Therefore educational programme focusing on the importance of family functioning should be provided so that the aspect of treatments and social life of patients get improved. Keywords: Epilepsy, Family functioning, Social Support, Family support