title: Knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy among inhabitants of Silesia. A questionnaire study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epilepsy is one of the most frequent neurological diseases. Social acceptance is very important for people with epilepsy and their relatives. The aim of the study was to assess public knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy in Silesia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined 419 people, inhabitants of Silesia, at the mean age of 34 ± 15 years. The study was performed using a questionnaire containing 15 questions evaluating knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes towards people with epilepsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  43.2% of the respondents knew an epileptic person themselves. 44.7% had witnessed an epileptic seizure; 68.8% would help a person during an epileptic seizure, but most of them (73.4%) would do it incorrectly (by putting an object into the mouth to prevent biting the tongue). 94.5% of respondents had nothing against friendship with an epileptic person, but 12.1% suggested that children with epilepsy should attend special schools. 85.9% of all those examined said that people with epilepsy should inform others about their disease, 81.9% would mention the existence of an epileptic person in their family. 40.5% of respondents believe that people with epilepsy can do the same jobs as healthy people, 75.3% would employ an epileptic person themselves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The knowledge about epilepsy and first aid during epileptic seizure is still insufficient among inhabitants of Silesia. Most of the responders, especially better educated ones, declare acceptance and tolerance of people with epilepsy. More effort should be made to improve public knowledge of epilepsy by preparing wide-spread educational programmes.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Neurologii, SP Szpital Kliniczny Nr 1 w Zabrzu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, ul. 3-go Maja 13/15, 41-800 Zabrze. beatamaria.pl@hoga.pl
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Labuz-Roszak
authors.forename: Krystyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pierzchała
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapinos
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Machowska-Majchrzak
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kapczyński
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kapczyńska
authors.forename: Abba
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pyka
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hatala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011639:Public Opinion; D012938:Social Perception; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult