Awareness, attitudes and perceptions on epilepsy in Southern Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
To verify awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy in Southern Brazil.


METHODS
A questionnaire about familiarity with the disease, awareness and attitudes toward epileptics was applied to 832 inhabitants of Caxias do Sul. The answers were analyzed in three different groups: G1, non-university students; G2, university students up to the second year; and G3, university students with more than two years education and university graduates.


RESULTS
University students and graduates are better informed regarding causes and treatment of epilepsy. Moreover, those interviewees present less negative attitudes toward epileptics. However, a large part of that group lacks some basic information on the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
There is lack of information on epilepsy among Brazilians. Education campaigns should be carried out in order to clarify some aspects concerning epilepsy.
Falavigna
Asdrubal
A
Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Caxias do Sul, RS, Brazil. asdrubal@doctor.com
Teles
Alisson Roberto
AR
Roth
Felipe
F
Velho
Maíra Cristina
MC
Roxo
Marcelo Ricardo Rosa
MR
Dal Bosco
Alexandre Luiz
AL
Silva
Roberta Castilhos da
RC
Carrer
Tatiane
T
Medina
Miguel Francisco de Lessa
MF
Salvati
Gustavo
G
Dahmer
Cleiton
C
Basso
Maira
M
Vedana
Viviane Maria
VM
Mazzocchin
Thaís
T
Mosena
Gabriela
G
Ribeiro
Ricardo Gil
RG
Siqueira
Tiago Adami
TA
D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D001938:Brazil; D004522:Educational Status; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires