Knowledge of management of epilepsy in young adults in Jordan

PURPOSE: Nationwide studies on public knowledge of epilepsy have been undertaken in several countries, but not in Jordan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate knowledge of the management of epilepsy in Jordan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed during the period February-June 2005 on 16,044 individuals selected randomly to represent all regions of Jordan. Respondents were interviewed and asked to complete a five-item questionnaire testing their knowledge of the management of epilepsy. RESULTS: Most of the individuals (77.9%) agreed that patients with epilepsy are best treated in a specialized hospital for neurological diseases. Although the largest percentage of the sample (86.7%) agreed that the best person to treat epilepsy is a neurologist, others believed that a hypnotherapist (25.4%) or a religious healer (22.6%) is. As an immediate measure during an attack of epilepsy, most respondents (82.6%) agreed that protecting the patient's head is most important. During the postseizure period, 45.8% of respondents believed that offering the patient water or a cold or hot drink is appropriate. Two-thirds of the respondents (66.2%) agreed that epilepsy can be treated with drugs. Responses of the participants to the five items significantly differed with respect to age, gender, level of education, and occupation. CONCLUSION: Jordanians are reasonably well informed about most aspects of the management of epilepsy, but there is still a need for public education about this disorder.