The knowledge level of health sciences students about epilepsy and its relationship with attitudes towards epilepsy in Turkey

Background & Objectives: Although epilepsy is one of the most prevalent diseases, it is highly surrounded by stigmatization and negative attitudes toward epilepsy. Due to numerous incorrect or insufficient knowledge attributed to epilepsy, people have negative attitudes against the disease. This study was performed to examine the knowledge levels and attitudes about epilepsy of undergraduate students studying at the faculty of health sciences in Turkey. Methods: In the study, the epilepsy knowledge level and attitudes towards epilepsy and the person with epilepsy were evaluated in 1,019 students studying at the faculty of health sciences at Konya Selcuk University. The scales of epilepsy knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy were transformed into an online form and sent to participants’ e-mail addresses. Results: Two hundred eighty (27.5%) students read scientific documents about epilepsy. Especially those who read textbooks and scientific articles/research articles had a higher level of knowledge (p = 0.002). The least well-known issue was related to the treatment of the disease. Although most students had a high level of epilepsy knowledge, they had negative attitudes especially toward dating and marriage with epileptic individuals. Female, clinical students, those who witnessed epileptic seizures, and those who had a higher level of knowledge about epilepsy had more positive attitudes towards epilepsy (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Negative attitudes towards epilepsy patients still exist among health science students in Turkey. Health sciences faculty education programs should be designed to increase the epilepsy awareness of students. Increasing the level of knowledge and awareness may lead to better attitudes.