Talk to parents: Bridge the knowledge gap in parents with epileptic children
Introduction: Parents' attitudes toward children with epilepsy may be influenced by their knowledge of the condition. Parental knowledge regarding epilepsy, its long-term management, likely events, and outcomes is essential in appropriate care of their children. This study was undertaken to ide...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2019-01-01
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| Series: | CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.cjhr.org/article.asp?issn=2348-3334;year=2019;volume=6;issue=4;spage=204;epage=206;aulast=Varghese |
| Summary: | Introduction: Parents' attitudes toward children with epilepsy may be influenced by their knowledge of the condition. Parental knowledge regarding epilepsy, its long-term management, likely events, and outcomes is essential in appropriate care of their children. This study was undertaken to identify the level of and possible gaps in knowledge of parents. Methodology: This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care center, in which 50 caregivers of children with epilepsy took part, after due consent. Data were on a predesigned questionnaire which included questions addressing the type of epilepsy, parents' knowledge of etiology, treatment, untoward events, drug side effects, and emergency care. Observations and Results: Of 50 caregivers, only half of the parents were able to mention the cause of seizures in their child. Half of the parents thought that epilepsy affects intelligence of the child. Most of the parents, i.e., 96% were okay with talking about their child's condition with the family. Most parents (55.93%) brought their children to hospital for emergency care, while 10.16% knew some first aid for acute seizure. Parents of children on polytherapy (41.67%) were more aware of side effects of medicines as compared to parents of children on monotherapy (10.53%) (P = 0.014). Conclusion: Even though a sizable proportion of parents know about the cause of epilepsy in children, very few were equipped with knowledge of first aid care during a seizure. Lack of awareness of drug side effects is another major gap that doctors dealing with epileptic children must address, while talking to parents. |
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| ISSN: | 2348-3334 2348-506X |