PUBLIC AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD EPILEPSY IN THE HAIL REGION, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA

Introduction:Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease that affects the brain. There are around 50 million patients with epilepsy worldwide. However, there are a lot of studies haveshown a misconception regarding epilepsy among different communities. This study was conducted in the Hail region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to measure the level of awareness, knowledge, and behaviors toward epilepsy. Methods:A cross-sectional study including a questionnaire formed of 14 validated questions, distributed to the people residing inthe Hail region, from September 17 to September 26, 2019. Results:The Questionnaire applied to 384 participants and most of them were less than or equal25 years old )42.4%). Ninety-four present of 384 respondents had heard or read about epilepsy and there were only12% would prevent their children from socializing with a child with epilepsy.While most of the participants (78.4%) agreed that patient with epilepsy has a right to not bebarred from a job. Sixty-seven percent of participants cited mental disorder as the most common cause of epilepsy followed by brain disorders and 96.4% of participants chose convulsant and shaking as a symptom of epilepsy followed by loss of consciousness. Conclusion:The level of awareness and attitudes toward epilepsy inthe Hail region were quite good, but society still needs to raise the level of knowledge and correct misconceptions.