Ephrem Ashenafi, Getachew Alemkere, Tefera Kasahun, Ayda Haile Redae, Yemsrach Tesema Weldeyes and Hafte Kahsay Kebede
Background: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders worldwide. More than 40 million people worldwide have been estimated to suffer from epilepsy, and an estimate 80% of those individuals are living in developing countries. Like other developing countries, the prevalence of epilepsy in Ethiopia is high, 5.2. Socio-cultural beliefs influence the nature of treatment and care received by people with epilepsy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of Wollega University student towards epilepsy.
Methods: Community-based cross-sectional study designs was used to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to epilepsy by using a pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire on 369 Wollega University regular students. Consecutive sampling method was employed for sampling. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the percentages and number distributions of variables.
Result: The majority (88.8%) of respondents had awareness about the disease. A little more than half (53.5%) of the respondents believe epilepsy can be treated with modern medicine and religion. A little more than one third (34.2%) of the respondents said if they saw someone seizing, they would smell him/her something. Most of the respondents (61.9%) don`t think the society discriminates epileptics.
Conclusion: The study had indicated that students had awareness about the disease, yet there is still problem with unsafe practice related to epilepsy; but relatively promising knowledge about epilepsy.
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