Knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy: A survey of high school students in Germany

Purpose: Attitudes concerning epilepsy improved over the last few decades, but children with epilepsy still suffer from stigmatisation. Data about unaffected children's knowledge of and attitudes about epilepsy is scarce. Methods: We developed a questionnaire regarding epilepsy for high school students attending 8th-10th grade. The survey was performed from October 2015 to March 2016 in 5 different federal states of Germany. Results: 1092 students [mean age (Q25/75): 14.5 (14/15) years] participated. 542/1092 (50%) of the respondents knew that people could die from a seizure. 216/1092 (20%) thought emotional strain could cause epilepsy. Asked for measures they would perform in case of a seizure, 235/1092 (24%) participants would hold the person to the ground, and 182/1092 (19%) would put a solid object into the person's mouth. 28/1092 (3%) would not like to be friends with a person with epilepsy, and 237/1092 (22%) would not like to go on a date with a person with epilepsy. Answers of 342/1092 (31%) students of a school located nearby a specialised epilepsy centre differed in some questions. The latter students were more familiar with epilepsy and showed better knowledge concerning causes, symptoms and treatment of epilepsy. In a question about special characteristics of people with epilepsy, 63/342 (18%) [other schools: 52/750 (11%)] answered people with epilepsy were friendlier and 76/342 (22%) [other schools: 49/750 (11%)] answered they were more sociable compared to people without epilepsy. Conclusion: To improve knowledge and attitudes and reduce misconceptions further education seems necessary. (C) 2017 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.