Psychology Research and Behavior Management
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Differences of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards epilepsy between populations in municipal and nonmunicipal areas This article was published in the following Dove Press journal: Psychology Research and Behavior Management 18 October 2013 Number of times this article has been viewed
Somsak Tiamkao 1 Kittisak Sawanyawisuth 1,3 Karnchanasri Singhpoo 2 Sukanda Ariyanuchitkul 2 Ratchada Ngamroop 4 On behalf of the Integrated Epilepsy Research Group Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 2Community Medicine Service Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 3 The Research and Training Center for Enhancing Quality of Life of Working-Age People, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 4 Health Promoting Hospital Tumbon Banladchang, Nakhon Nayok Provincial Health Office, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand 1
Introduction
Correspondence: Somsak Tiamkao Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand Tel +66 4 336 3664 Fax +66 4 334 8399 Email [email protected]
Epilepsy is a prevalent disease in clinical practice. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of epileptic patients are important indicators for the effectiveness of treatment. The KAP of relatives and acquaintances also influences the feelings and practices of persons with epilepsy (PWE). Previous studies have shown that in Thai communities, the low level of knowledge reflects poor KAP. It is interesting to see that even medical personnel, including medical students and nurses, still have an unsatisfactory level of knowledge and understanding of epilepsy.1,2 However, studies have not been conducted on the general population at large. Since municipal and nonmunicipal populations are basically different in education, income, and age, we hypothesized that the two groups might have different levels of KAP towards epilepsy. The differences between these two geographical populations have never been studied, particularly in regards to epilepsy, in the Thai population. This research was aimed at studying whether in fact, the two populations had different levels 111
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Psychology Research and Behavior Management 2013:6 111–116
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© 2013 Tiamkao et al. This work is published by Dove Medical Press Limited, and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S50842 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
Background: Information on the knowledge of, and attitudes and practices towards epilepsy of the general population in Thailand is still limited, particularly with respect to the differences between populations in municipal and nonmunicipal areas. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample population of 1,000, with 500 participants each from municipal and nonmunicipal areas, in the Khon Kaen district. Results: The participants in the municipal area had higher incomes and higher education than did the participants in the nonmunicipal area. Both groups had low knowledge regarding epilepsy definition, causes, and treatment, but participants in the municipal area were more knowledgeable on the causes, types, and treatment of epilepsy. With respect to attitude, there were a significantly higher number of nonmunicipal participants than municipal participants who thought epilepsy was a disgusting disorder or that persons with epilepsy were sinful, had brain damage, and could not attend school. The municipal participants showed greater knowledge of correct practice than did nonmunicipal participants with regard to the following: not driving a car; avoiding acrobatic sports, fighting, or water sport; able to eat pork, not having to resign from work; not having to quit school; and able to have sexual relations. Conclusion: The participants from the municipal area had better knowledge, attitudes, and practices than did the participants from the nonmunicipal area. A campaign should be carried out to promote knowledge and understanding of, and practices towards epilepsy. Different emphases should be placed on the two groups of populations and different strategies used. Keywords: practice, rural, mental health, stigma
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Tiamkao et al
Psychology Research and Behavior Management downloaded from https://www.dovepress.com/ by 81.22.47.65 on 19-Jan-2019 For personal use only.
of KAP towards epilepsy, so as to support the future implementation of a project aiming to provide accurate education and to change attitudes and behaviors. This information may suggest strategies to improve epilepsy care in the future.
Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional research study conducted in 1,000 persons of the Muang district, Khon Kaen, Thailand, from April 1, 2008 until December 31, 2008. The population in the study was randomly sampled from the population census and divided into two groups, comprised of 500 people each, from a municipal and a nonmunicipal area. The following were the inclusion criteria: 1) residing in Muang district, Khon Kaen; 2) aged 18 years and over; 3) fully alert and able to answer questions; 4) able to communicate in Thai; and 5) willing to participate in the project and to give written informed consent. The survey was conducted by nurses trained in the use of the study questionnaire.2 The questionnaire was comprised of a section on basic information of the participants and another section on KAP related to epilepsy. The data obtained from the population from the municipal area were compared with the data from the population from the nonmunicipal area, based on descriptive statistics, namely the Students t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test.
Results Of the 500-person population from the nonmunicipal area, 195 (39%) were male. The average age was 48.7 years, 63% were married, 66.4% had completed primary education or lower, 67.5% were farmers, and the average income was 6,386 Baht/month, the equivalent of 212.87 USD/month (1 USD equals 30 Baht). The 500-person sample population from the municipal area consisted of 50% males. When compared with the participants residing in the nonmunicipal area, this group had a lower average age level, lower number of married persons, higher level of education, higher income level, and most were business or government employees (Table 1).
The results of survey on knowledge The results of the survey on knowledge are presented in Table 2. A significantly higher number of municipal participants had been informed of epilepsy and understood the meanings of epilepsy correctly when compared with the nonmunicipal participants. The difference in the understanding of the cause of epilepsy between the two groups was significant; many of the nonmunicipal participants misunderstood that epilepsy was caused by spiritual possession or being hereditary. 112
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Table 1 General characteristics of the participants, categorized by municipal area Details
Nonmunicipal area (N=500)
Municipal area (N=500)
Males (%) Average age (SD) Marital status, married (%) Level of education (%) Primary school or lower Secondary school Undergraduate certificate or higher Occupation (%) Unemployed Farmers Government officials Trading Average income, Baht/month (SD)
195 (39.0) 48.7 (20.2) 315 (63.0)
250 (50.0) 34.4 (13.0) 219 (43.8)
332 (66.4) 132 (26.4) 36 (7.2)
59 (11.8) 78 (15.6) 363 (72.6)
180 (36.0) 216 (67.5) 10 (3.1) 21 (6.6) 6,386.49 (10,846.52)
140 (28.0) 2 (0.56) 148 (41.1) 107 (29.7) 36,773.21 (43,580.84)
Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.
Significantly fewer municipal participants knew that epilepsy can be generalized as tonic-clonic seizures than did nonmunicipal participants (P
Dovepress open access to scientific and medical research
Original Research
Psychology Research and Behavior Management downloaded from https://www.dovepress.com/ by 81.22.47.65 on 19-Jan-2019 For personal use only.
Open Access Full Text Article
Differences of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards epilepsy between populations in municipal and nonmunicipal areas This article was published in the following Dove Press journal: Psychology Research and Behavior Management 18 October 2013 Number of times this article has been viewed
Somsak Tiamkao 1 Kittisak Sawanyawisuth 1,3 Karnchanasri Singhpoo 2 Sukanda Ariyanuchitkul 2 Ratchada Ngamroop 4 On behalf of the Integrated Epilepsy Research Group Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 2Community Medicine Service Section, Srinagarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 3 The Research and Training Center for Enhancing Quality of Life of Working-Age People, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; 4 Health Promoting Hospital Tumbon Banladchang, Nakhon Nayok Provincial Health Office, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand 1
Introduction
Correspondence: Somsak Tiamkao Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, 123 Mitraparp Road, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand Tel +66 4 336 3664 Fax +66 4 334 8399 Email [email protected]
Epilepsy is a prevalent disease in clinical practice. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of epileptic patients are important indicators for the effectiveness of treatment. The KAP of relatives and acquaintances also influences the feelings and practices of persons with epilepsy (PWE). Previous studies have shown that in Thai communities, the low level of knowledge reflects poor KAP. It is interesting to see that even medical personnel, including medical students and nurses, still have an unsatisfactory level of knowledge and understanding of epilepsy.1,2 However, studies have not been conducted on the general population at large. Since municipal and nonmunicipal populations are basically different in education, income, and age, we hypothesized that the two groups might have different levels of KAP towards epilepsy. The differences between these two geographical populations have never been studied, particularly in regards to epilepsy, in the Thai population. This research was aimed at studying whether in fact, the two populations had different levels 111
submit your manuscript | www.dovepress.com
Psychology Research and Behavior Management 2013:6 111–116
Dovepress
© 2013 Tiamkao et al. This work is published by Dove Medical Press Limited, and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php
http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S50842 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
Background: Information on the knowledge of, and attitudes and practices towards epilepsy of the general population in Thailand is still limited, particularly with respect to the differences between populations in municipal and nonmunicipal areas. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample population of 1,000, with 500 participants each from municipal and nonmunicipal areas, in the Khon Kaen district. Results: The participants in the municipal area had higher incomes and higher education than did the participants in the nonmunicipal area. Both groups had low knowledge regarding epilepsy definition, causes, and treatment, but participants in the municipal area were more knowledgeable on the causes, types, and treatment of epilepsy. With respect to attitude, there were a significantly higher number of nonmunicipal participants than municipal participants who thought epilepsy was a disgusting disorder or that persons with epilepsy were sinful, had brain damage, and could not attend school. The municipal participants showed greater knowledge of correct practice than did nonmunicipal participants with regard to the following: not driving a car; avoiding acrobatic sports, fighting, or water sport; able to eat pork, not having to resign from work; not having to quit school; and able to have sexual relations. Conclusion: The participants from the municipal area had better knowledge, attitudes, and practices than did the participants from the nonmunicipal area. A campaign should be carried out to promote knowledge and understanding of, and practices towards epilepsy. Different emphases should be placed on the two groups of populations and different strategies used. Keywords: practice, rural, mental health, stigma
Dovepress
Tiamkao et al
Psychology Research and Behavior Management downloaded from https://www.dovepress.com/ by 81.22.47.65 on 19-Jan-2019 For personal use only.
of KAP towards epilepsy, so as to support the future implementation of a project aiming to provide accurate education and to change attitudes and behaviors. This information may suggest strategies to improve epilepsy care in the future.
Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional research study conducted in 1,000 persons of the Muang district, Khon Kaen, Thailand, from April 1, 2008 until December 31, 2008. The population in the study was randomly sampled from the population census and divided into two groups, comprised of 500 people each, from a municipal and a nonmunicipal area. The following were the inclusion criteria: 1) residing in Muang district, Khon Kaen; 2) aged 18 years and over; 3) fully alert and able to answer questions; 4) able to communicate in Thai; and 5) willing to participate in the project and to give written informed consent. The survey was conducted by nurses trained in the use of the study questionnaire.2 The questionnaire was comprised of a section on basic information of the participants and another section on KAP related to epilepsy. The data obtained from the population from the municipal area were compared with the data from the population from the nonmunicipal area, based on descriptive statistics, namely the Students t-test, chi-square test, and Fisher exact test.
Results Of the 500-person population from the nonmunicipal area, 195 (39%) were male. The average age was 48.7 years, 63% were married, 66.4% had completed primary education or lower, 67.5% were farmers, and the average income was 6,386 Baht/month, the equivalent of 212.87 USD/month (1 USD equals 30 Baht). The 500-person sample population from the municipal area consisted of 50% males. When compared with the participants residing in the nonmunicipal area, this group had a lower average age level, lower number of married persons, higher level of education, higher income level, and most were business or government employees (Table 1).
The results of survey on knowledge The results of the survey on knowledge are presented in Table 2. A significantly higher number of municipal participants had been informed of epilepsy and understood the meanings of epilepsy correctly when compared with the nonmunicipal participants. The difference in the understanding of the cause of epilepsy between the two groups was significant; many of the nonmunicipal participants misunderstood that epilepsy was caused by spiritual possession or being hereditary. 112
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Table 1 General characteristics of the participants, categorized by municipal area Details
Nonmunicipal area (N=500)
Municipal area (N=500)
Males (%) Average age (SD) Marital status, married (%) Level of education (%) Primary school or lower Secondary school Undergraduate certificate or higher Occupation (%) Unemployed Farmers Government officials Trading Average income, Baht/month (SD)
195 (39.0) 48.7 (20.2) 315 (63.0)
250 (50.0) 34.4 (13.0) 219 (43.8)
332 (66.4) 132 (26.4) 36 (7.2)
59 (11.8) 78 (15.6) 363 (72.6)
180 (36.0) 216 (67.5) 10 (3.1) 21 (6.6) 6,386.49 (10,846.52)
140 (28.0) 2 (0.56) 148 (41.1) 107 (29.7) 36,773.21 (43,580.84)
Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.
Significantly fewer municipal participants knew that epilepsy can be generalized as tonic-clonic seizures than did nonmunicipal participants (P
