AWARENESS TOWARD EPILEPSY: ATTITUDE, MANAGEMENT, AND FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE OF SEIZURES

Background: Medical doctors’ knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy play a crucial role in determining the quality of care, patient safety, and social integration of individuals with epilepsy. Inadequate awareness may lead to misdiagnosis, improper first aid, and suboptimal long-term management. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding epilepsy presentation, diagnosis, treatment options, and seizure first aid among medical doctors in Iraq. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed to 313 medical doctors across Iraq. The survey assessed demographic characteristics, knowledge of epilepsy diagnosis and management, awareness of first aid measures during seizures, and attitudes toward the social aspects of epilepsy. Participants varied in educational level, professional title, specialty, and workplace. Statistical analysis was performed to identify associations between knowledge levels and medical specialties. Results: A total of 313 respondents completed the questionnaire, with a mean age of 41.37 ± 10.86 years. Pediatric specialties constituted the largest group (52.4%). Overall, a low level of awareness was observed regarding epilepsy management, first aid, and attitudes. More than half of participants demonstrated insufficient knowledge of epilepsy diagnosis, with significant variation across specialties (p < 0.05). Knowledge of seizure first aid was inadequate in over 50% of respondents. Awareness of advanced treatment options was limited, particularly for vagus nerve stimulation (71.9%), ketogenic diet (54.3%), and epilepsy surgery (53.1%). Additionally, only 45% correctly identified lamotrigine as a safe option for myoclonic seizures. Conclusion: The study reveals substantial gaps in knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy among medical doctors in Iraq, particularly regarding diagnosis, first aid, and advanced treatment modalities. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational and training programs to improve epilepsy care and patient outcomes.