Knowledge of Seizures, Epilepsy, and Seizure First Aid among Teachers and Students at Various Educational Levels: Knowledge of Epilepsy and Seizure First Aid among Students and Teachers

Zomer Sardar; Neelum Khan; Javaria Sardar; Arsalan Haider; Sumayyah Liaquat; Safia Bano; Hira Majied

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i12.3202

Authors

Zomer Sardar Department ofNeurology, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Neelum Khan Department of Pediatrics, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Javaria Sardar Department of Pediatrics, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Arsalan Haider Department of Neurology, Sharif City Medical and Dental College, Sharif City Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Sumayyah Liaquat Department of Neurology, Baqai Medical College, Baqai Medical University Karachi, Pakistan
Safia Bano Department of Neurology, King Edward Medical University, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Hira Majied Department of Neurology, Shalamar Medical and Dental College, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i12.3202

Keywords:

Seizure, Epilepsy, First Aid, MESH Terms, Knowledge

Abstract

Epilepsy remains poorly understood in low-resource settings, with critical gaps in seizure first aid knowledge. This study assessed awareness among Pakistani students and teachers. Objectives: To assess knowledge of epilepsy and seizure first aid among students and teachers of all educational levels in Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional survey using a non-validated Google questionnaire in English and Urdu was shared on various social media platforms by convenience sampling (N=330). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: A total of 330 responses were included for final analysis. Of which, students were the most numerous (178, 53.9%). Higher proportion of females (219, 66.4%). The majority of both students (164, 49.7%) and teachers (114, 34.5%) had heard of epilepsy or seizures. 42.7% (141) of students and 32.1% (106) of teachers identified epilepsy as a brain disorder. A small percentage of both students (49, 14.8%) and teachers (28, 8.5%) knew how to respond to a seizure. Conclusions: Although limited by a non-validated tool and descriptive analysis, this study revealed major gaps in seizure first-aid knowledge among students and teachers. The findings support the need for structured seizure first-aid training programs for students and teachers, and emphasize the impact of this training upon students' well-being and mental health.

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