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. 2023 Mar 22;20(6):5222.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20065222.

Caregivers' and Family Members' Knowledge Attitudes and Practices (KAP) towards Epilepsy in Rural Limpopo and Mpumalanga, South Africa

Ofhani Prudance Musekwa  1 , Lufuno Makhado  2 , Angelina Maphula  1
Affiliations

Caregivers' and Family Members' Knowledge Attitudes and Practices (KAP) towards Epilepsy in Rural Limpopo and Mpumalanga, South Africa

Ofhani Prudance Musekwa et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Epilepsy, a common neurological disease, has a significant impact on people living with epilepsy (PLWE), their caregivers, and their family members. Research has consistently shown that the quality of life of PLWE is low. To expand on this knowledge, a non-experimental quantitative survey study was conducted to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of caregivers and family members towards epilepsy and epilepsy-related seizures. The study sample consisted of 519 participants from two South African provinces (Limpopo and Mpumalanga), mostly aged 26-35 years. The study revealed that most respondents in Limpopo had no formal education, whereas in Mpumalanga, most had a secondary education. Most respondents (32.4%) reported always using a spoon to prevent tongue biting during seizures. However, 62.4% of respondents reported feeling unprepared to handle an epileptic seizure. Additionally, the majority (54.7%) showed a moderate level of knowledge about epilepsy. Many respondents had a negative attitude towards epilepsy, and there was uncertainty about proper practices during a seizure. In summary, the research highlights unsatisfactory knowledge and practices towards epilepsy and emphasizes the need for increased education and awareness among caregivers and family members. Significant educational investment is needed from medical services to improve epilepsy care, knowledge, and attitudes.

Keywords: attitude; caregiver; epilepsy; family member; knowledge; practices.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the study’s design, in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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