Understanding Epilepsy Among Parents Through an Educative Blog-A Novel Method

  • Kavya KG
  • Shruthi B. Patil
Keywords: Epilepsy, Social Discrimination, Seizures, Blog

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by the risk of recurrent seizures. Individuals are still socially discriminated due to misunderstandings by widespread negative attitudes and defensive behavior.
AIM: To assess the knowledge among parents regarding epilepsy and to eradicate the myths associated with using a blog.
MATERIALS AND METHOD: A blog was created with elaborate information regarding Epilepsy.50 parents of children with history of Epilepsy were included for the study. The parents of the children were given the link to the blog and were asked to go through it and express their views and responses. Later the parents were educated and doubts/queries were clarified.
RESULTS: About 40 parents were willing to go through the blog. The other 10 though reluctant went through the blog after making them realize the need to have knowledge about epilepsy. Among 50 parents, around 30 parents refused to believe that it was a form of epilepsy/fits and discontinued the medication without Physician’s consent. Around 45 parents believed that giving metal objects helped in treating seizures. Also 40 parents believed strongly that Febrile seizures was not a form of seizures and did not require treatment. 20 parents had discontinued the medication on their own after a few months.
CONCLUSION: In our study we found lack of knowledge regarding Epilepsy and the different variants of epilepsy. Also, parents strongly believed in the myths and hence did not consult a doctor. Most parents assumed Epilepsy to be a neurologic disorder and that it required psychiatric help. This study made an attempt to educate people regarding epilepsy in detail by the means of an educative blog.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Kavya KG

Post Graduate Student, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, SDM Dental College (A Constituent Unit of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University)

Shruthi B. Patil

Professor & Head, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, SDM Dental College  (A Constituent Unit of Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University)

References

Fisher RS, Acevedo C, Arzimanoglou A, Bogacz A, Cross JH, Elger CE, et al. ILAE official report: A practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia 2014;55:475-82.

Chaudhari VK, Kumar P, Yadav V, Pathak D, Hussain Z. A brief overview of epilepsy. Glob J Med Res A: Neurol Nerv Syst. 2016;16(1-A):1-6.

Scott RA, Lhatoo SD, Sander JW. The treatment of epilepsy in developing countries: Where do we go from here? Bull World Health Organ 2001;79:344-51.

Brodie MJ, Elder AT, Kwan P. Epilepsy in later life. Lancet Neurol. 2009;8:1019-30.

Aragon CE, Burneo JG.Understanding the Patient with Epilepsy and Seizures in the Dental Practice JCDA. February 2007;43(1):71-6.

Aragon CE, Hess T, Burneo JG, Knowledge and Attitudes about Epilepsy: A Survey of Dentists in London, Ontario JCDA .July/August 2009;75(6):450-450g.

de Boer HM. Epilepsy stigma: Moving from a global problem to global solutions. Seizure 2010;19:630-6.

Burneo JG. Sonko-nanay and epilepsy among the Incas. Epilepsy Behav 2003;4:181-4.

Jilek-Aall L. Morbus sacer in Africa: Some religious aspects of epilepsy in traditional cultures. Epilepsia 1999;40:382-6.

Newton CR, Garcia HH. Epilepsy in poor regions of the world. Lancet 2012;380:1193-201.

Baker GA, Brooks J, Buck D, Jacoby A. The stigma of epilepsy: A European perspective. Epilepsia 2000;41:98-104.

Paschal AM, Ablah E, Wetta-Hall R, Molgaard CA, Liow K. Stigma and safe havens: A medical sociological perspective on African-American female epilepsy patients. Epilepsy Behav 2005;7:106-15.

Jacoby A, Snape D, Baker GA. Epilepsy and social identity: The stigma of a chronic neurological disorder. Lancet Neurol 2005;4:171-8.

CITATION
DOI: 10.26440/IHRJ/0310.01313
Published: 2020-01-14
How to Cite
1.
Kavya KG, Shruthi B. Patil. Understanding Epilepsy Among Parents Through an Educative Blog-A Novel Method. IHRJ [Internet]. 2020Jan.14 [cited 2024Oct.4];3(10):327-30. Available from: https://ihrjournal.com/ihrj/article/view/313