Knowledge of, first-aid measures and attitudes towards epilepsy among university students in Syria

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim: Patients with epilepsy generally face misconceptions and negative attitudes about various aspects of the disease and are vulnerable to physical injuries during seizures. Lack of awareness of first aid measures leads to inappropriate actions while trying to provide assistance to patients. Therefore, our study aims to provide knowledge of first aid procedures and trends. Towards epilepsy among university students in Syria. Methods and material: A cross-sectional study was conducted during the period from 5/1/2023 to 26/12/2023 in Damascus, Syria. Data were collected through electronic questionnaires distributed randomly on social networking sites. The characteristics section included (age, gender, university branch, the first year), the second section included an awareness section (general awareness, causes, symptoms, triggers of seizures, first aid measures, and recommended treatments). Results: In general, 950 male and female students participated in the survey, and the students’ knowledge of epilepsy was very high, but there was little knowledge about the spread of epilepsy, the causes of epilepsy, the characteristics of epilepsy, the symptoms and signs of epilepsy, and the treatment of epilepsy. There was a significant increase in positive attitudes when seeing an affected person. With epilepsy, but on the other hand, negative attitudes were high, and the percentage of students’ knowledge on the knowledge and stigma scale was good, and the average of the scale among the students was (20.23 degrees).