Abdelkrim Janati Idrissi1, Abdelaziz Lamkaddem2, Saïd Boujraf3, Zouhayr Souirti4. 1. Neurology Department, Sleep center Hassan II University Hospital, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco; Clinical Neurosciences laboratory, Faculty of medicine and pharmacy of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco. Electronic address: janat318ia@gmail.com. 2. Clinical Neurosciences laboratory, Faculty of medicine and pharmacy of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco; Cognitive Sciences Laboratory, Faculty of Letters and Humans Sciences, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco. 3. Neurology Department, Sleep center Hassan II University Hospital, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco. 4. Neurology Department, Sleep center Hassan II University Hospital, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco; Clinical Neurosciences laboratory, Faculty of medicine and pharmacy of Fez, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Morocco.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Many studies performed in Morocco showed an important lack of knowledge about epilepsy among persons with epilepsy and their families. The misconceptions about the disease are a source of suffering for both patients and their families and increase the costs of epilepsy care. We conducted this investigation for assessing the origins of misinterpretation of the disease in the Moroccan society. OBJECTIVES: The teachers' knowledge about epilepsy in the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco and their attitudes toward a person with epilepsy constitute the two major objectives of this study. We also assessed the impact of sociocultural parameters on Moroccan teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data collection was based on the "Attitudes Toward Persons with Epilepsy" (ATPE) test. RESULTS: The study showed a positive correlation between the level of teachers' knowledge of epilepsy and their attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. The results revealed the persistence of negative attitudes toward a person with epilepsy among teachers. The level of ATPE of teachers in Morocco was lower compared to high-middle income countries. CONCLUSION: There is still poor knowledge about epilepsy among teachers in Morocco. This unawareness is negatively affecting teachers' attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. Hence, we recommend integrating epilepsy in teaching and training programs of teachers in the Moroccan educational system.
PURPOSE: Many studies performed in Morocco showed an important lack of knowledge about epilepsy among persons with epilepsy and their families. The misconceptions about the disease are a source of suffering for both patients and their families and increase the costs of epilepsy care. We conducted this investigation for assessing the origins of misinterpretation of the disease in the Moroccan society. OBJECTIVES: The teachers' knowledge about epilepsy in the Fez-Meknes region in Morocco and their attitudes toward a person with epilepsy constitute the two major objectives of this study. We also assessed the impact of sociocultural parameters on Moroccan teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data collection was based on the "Attitudes Toward Persons with Epilepsy" (ATPE) test. RESULTS: The study showed a positive correlation between the level of teachers' knowledge of epilepsy and their attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. The results revealed the persistence of negative attitudes toward a person with epilepsy among teachers. The level of ATPE of teachers in Morocco was lower compared to high-middle income countries. CONCLUSION: There is still poor knowledge about epilepsy among teachers in Morocco. This unawareness is negatively affecting teachers' attitudes toward a person with epilepsy. Hence, we recommend integrating epilepsy in teaching and training programs of teachers in the Moroccan educational system.