Parental Perspectives on Seizures and Epilepsy in Galle district: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Parents' attitudes towards childhood seizures and epilepsy differ depending on awareness, emotional impact, stigma, medical experiences, support networks, and everyday life implications. Addressing these characteristics can improve support and education efforts, helping parents to better manage epilepsy. Objectives: To assess the parental attitudes towards seizures and epilepsy and factors associated among parents or guardians in Galle district Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken with conveniently selected 250 parents who attended the paediatric neurology clinic at teaching hospital Karapitiya. Data were gathered using an interviewer-administered Self-developed pretested questionnaire. The data was examined with Chi-square test and Pearson correlation using SPSS version 25.0. Results: Of the sample, 14.4% (n=36) were male and 85.6% (n=214) were female parents. Misconceptions persist, with 10.4% (n=26) associating epilepsy with spiritual reasons, 85.6% (n=214) rejecting this idea, and 4% (n=10) uncertain. A minority, 7.6% (n=19), accepts exorcism as treatment, while the vast majority, 88% (n=220), does not, with 4.4% (n=11) uncertain. The stigma associated with isolation has been strongly rejected by 97.6% (n=244), while 2.4% (n=6) are unsure about it. While 88.8% (n=222) rejected hiding the disease from society, 8.8% (n=22) agreed to hide it from society, and 2.4% (n=6) were not sure about it. Similarly, 88.8% (n=222) reject the idea of special schooling for epileptic children, showcasing a strong tendency towards inclusivity and dispelling myths surrounding epilepsy. The majority (57.2%, n=195) feel epilepsy may affect their child’s marital life later in the future, whereas 39.6% (n=99) disagree, and a small fraction, 3.2% (n=8) are unsure. Concerns extend to parenthood, with 56% (n=140) thinking their child's capacity for conception could be impaired by epilepsy, while 34.4% (n=86) are not convinced, and 9.6% (n=24) remain uncertain. Educational level has a significant association with parental attitudes towards epilepsy emerged (p=0.034). Conclusion: The study found that most parents had more positive attitudes regarding affecting their child's epilepsy later in life than negative attitudes, with their education level possibly affecting their thinking.