Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment (May 2022)
Epilepsy Stigma Among University Students in Makkah: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Amal M Alkhotani,1 Alaa M Alkhotani2 1Department of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pathology, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Amal M Alkhotani, Department of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a persistent propensity to generate recurring epileptic seizures. Young adults such as university students can bridge the gap and improve attitudes toward patients with epilepsy and reduce stigma. This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude of university students in the city of Makkah about epilepsy.Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out at main universities in the Makkah region of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted after getting approval from Umm Al-Qura University’s ethics and research committee. A total of 394 participants were enrolled in the study, and a stratified random sampling (probability sampling) technique was used to select respondents.Results: The study included students with a mean age of 20.9 ± 4.6 (18– 28 years), 271 (68.8%) students were females, 374 (94.9%) of the students agreed that epilepsy is not contagious, and 215 (54.6%) refused the impact of epilepsy on patients’ marital status, relationships and fertility, respectively, 213 (54.1%) of the students reported that they feel scared to witness a seizure. About 334 (84.8%) respondents believed that epilepsy is an affliction, and 123 (31.2%) reported that they thought epilepsy was a supernatural phenomenon or black magic.Conclusion: The study concluded a satisfactory level of awareness among university students in Makkah related to dealing with patients with epilepsy. Further scientific studies will help build student’s positive attitudes through simulation programs and interventional studies.Keywords: people with epilepsy, stigma, epileptic seizures, Saudi community, neurological disorder
