AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS EPILEPSY IN MALAYSIA: A PERSPECTIVE OF UNDERGRADUATES IN A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY

Background Stigma of epilepsy continues to negatively impact on the quality of life of people with epilepsy. It is important for undergraduates to be aware and possess accurate knowledge towards epilepsy. This study aimed to assess the awareness, knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy among the undergraduates in a private university. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in Taylor's University, Malaysia. A validated questionnaire was administered, consisting of 17 items on awareness, knowledge and attitude towards epilepsy. Results A total of 371 undergraduates participated with a response rate of 94%. The respondents comprised of majority females (62.0%), Chinese ethnicity (74.7%) and Malaysian (88.4%). They possessed a low level of awareness (64.7%), with 71.7% of them having heard or read about epilepsy but only 16.2% had attended epilepsy-related seminars or lectures. Approximately two-thirds (64.2%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge as the majority denied that epilepsy was contagious and caused by evil spirits. Most respondents demonstrated a positive attitude (74.7%) by accepting the involvement of people with epilepsy in sports, marriage and socialization. Awareness and knowledge towards epilepsy were significantly associated with both the undergraduates' faculty and year of study (p < 0.05). Attitude towards epilepsy was significantly associated with only the faculty (p < 0.05). Conclusion Although the level of knowledge and attitude were generally quite satisfactory, the awareness was still low among undergraduates. This study highlighted the need for formal education and awareness campaigns in the university to improve their awareness, knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy.