A study on the knowledge, attitude and practice towards epilepsy among the population in the field practice area of SSIMS & RC, Davangere

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy also called seizures is characterized by uncontrolled excessive activity of a part of the brain or all of the central nervous system. It is a common neurological abnormality affecting about 1% of the world population. According to the WHO's World Health Report, more than 50 million people in the most productive years of their lives suffer from epilepsy, often leading to unavoidable unemployment. Nearly two out of every three new cases are discovered in developing countries. Epilepsy becomes more common as age advances. Onset of new cases occur most frequently in the infants and the elderly. As a consequence of brain surgery, epileptic seizures may occur in recovering patients. Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication. However, over 30% of the people with epilepsy do not have seizure control even with the best available medications. Surgery may be considered in difficult cases. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong - some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood. Epilepsy should not be understand as a single disorder, but rather as syndromic with vastly divergent symptoms but all involving episodic abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the population towards epilepsy.