Does a Didactic Lecture On Epilepsy for Nursing Students Improve Knowledge And Attitude?

Background Adequate knowledge regarding epilepsy and positive attitude towards epilepsy would make early recognition of and appropriate intervention in this disorder more likely and better outcome of illnesses. Good knowledge regarding the epilepsy can promote treatment adherence, failure of which is the main cause of further precipitation of seizures. Aims and objectives To find out the efficacy of educational program on epilepsy in nursing student by measuring the pre and post intervention knowledge. . Methods and Materials Knowledge and attitudes of 94 nurses before and after attending one hour lecture on epilepsy care was assessed using questionnaires. Statistical analysis used Chi square test. SPSS version 15 (statistical Package for social services). P value of less than0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results After the lecture, knowledge and attitudes of nurses improved regarding investigations and medical treatment. The most misunderstanding were reported regarding epilepsy surgery. There was no improvement in knowledge regarding quality of life. Conclusion This is the first study to objectively measure improvement of knowledge and attitudes among nursing after lecture about epilepsy care. Reasons for low impact of lecture and strategies for improvement are discussed.