EPILEPSY - A GENERAL-PRACTICE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AMONG SUFFERERS AND NON-SUFFERERS

The aim of this study was to examine epilepsy sufferers' attitudes to and knowledge of their condition, the effect of epilepsy on their live s and their views on the management they had received, and to compare knowledge and attitudes with those of a control group of non-sufferers . A questionnaire was completed by 29 patients with epilepsy and 32 co ntrol group subjects from two general practices. It was found that peo ple with epilepsy knew little more than those without epilepsy regardi ng the nature of the condition, its aetiology and seizure precipitants . Those with epilepsy were concerned about the seizures and the effect these had on various aspects of their lives, and were concerned about long-term side effects of anti-epileptic medication. There were no si gnificant differences between the two groups with respect to education al achievement, employment record and social activities. The findings are discussed and suggestions put forward for improving the care offer ed to epilepsy sufferers by both general practitioners and hospital cl inics.