AWARENESS ABOUT EPILEPSY IN CHILDREN AMONG SCHOOLTEACHERS IN RIYADH, KSA

Introduction: Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by a pathological abnormality in electrical activity of the brain resulting in an unprovoked abnormal movement or behavior leading to a neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequence. The level of public awareness, and the attitudes and knowledge of epilepsy in the Saudi population is limited, and requires significant improvement. Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness about the definition of epilepsy in pediatric ages, types of epilepsy, managing an epileptic fit in children and awareness about the impact of epilepsy on children\'s educational and social performance among schoolteachers. Methodology: 320 teachers were selected from different schools in Riyadh city KSA by a cross-sectional study. The data collected by 14 Statement questionnaires including our objectives.th data reviewed, and statistically analyzed using percentages and frequencies. Result: the results show that 99.4% of teachers have heard about epilepsy, Most of the teachers want to learn more about epilepsy, and about 73% of teachers know that one type of seizure is generalized seizure, 35.9% know partial seizure. More than the half of the teachers has been a witness of an epileptic fit in their classes and around 43% of teachers\' first reaction to an epileptic fit was trying to help. The first aid in epileptic fit, is to put a soft towel in the mouth to protect the tongue and keep airway open was 70%, and 46.3% think to secure the media around the patient. The media 38% encountered the most frequently as source of knowledge and an abnormal electrical activity in the brain 70.3% as cause of epilepsy. Conclusion:This study has revealed a critical issue that a majority of schoolteachers do not have adequate knowledge about epilepsy. We recommend the mandatory implementation of epilepsy and basic life-support training and refreshing courses for all schoolteachers across KSA. In addition to enrolling in training courses, teachers must be aware of the availability of first aid kits at schools and the contact numbers of the Saudi Red Crescent Services.