Abstract:
Background:
Epilepsy is a tendency towards recurrent unprovoked seizures and remains one of
the most common neurological disorder in children worldwide. First aid management of epilepsy
is an essential component for holistic healthcare approach in patients with epilepsy. The overall
prevalence of childhood epilepsy is 5.7 per 10000 children aged 0-16 years in Sri Lanka. While
40% of children’s developing life is spent at school, it is imperative that teachers become an
important role players in the epilepsy care and surveillance for children with epilepsy during this
time.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and perceptions of the school
teachers regarding first aid for epilepsy in selected schools in the Kalkudah Educational Zone.
Method:
A Cross Sectional Descriptive study was conducted from September 2019 to August
2020 among 226 school teachers from 12 selected schools representing all divisions of Kalkudah
Educational Zone. Participants were selected using simple random sampling method and a pretested,
self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences 19 (SPSS V.19) was used to enter and analyze the data.
Result:
Of the 226 teachers recruited for this study, 15.9% of participants had adequate knowledge
on causes, clinical presentation and treatment of epilepsy. Only 2.7% scored adequate knowledge
on first aid management for epilepsy. Overall knowledge on epilepsy was inadequate in the
majority (59.3%). Most of the teachers (85.8%) had never done any first aid management as they
have not had any training on first aid epilepsy management and lack of awareness about epilepsy
and its management. There is a strong evidence of association between religion and overall
knowledge of epilepsy (Chi-square=14.003, df=4, p<0.05) and location of school and overall
knowledge of epilepsy (Chi-square=0.924, df=2, p<0.05) in this study.
Conclusion:
Knowledge on epilepsy and its first aid management among school teachers in this
study was unsatisfactory in many aspects.
