ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY
Dimitrios Kastos, Spyridon Roussos, Ioannis Koutelekos, Georgia Gerogianni, Georgios Vasilopoulos, Theodoros Kapadohos, Evangelos Dousis
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Publication year:
2020
Authors:
- Kastos Dimitrios, MSc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Roussos Spyridon, MSc in Applied Clinical Nursing, University of West Attica, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece
- Koutelekos Ioannis, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Nursing A',Technological Educational Institute of Athens
- Gerogianni Georgia, Nursing Department A, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Greece Nursing Department A, TEI, Athens, Greece
- Vasilopoulos Georgios, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health and Caring Professions, Department of Nursing, Athens University of Applied Sciences, Greece
- Kapadohos Theodoros, Associate Professor,Department of Nursing,University of West Attica Greece
- Dousis Evangelos, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, University of West Attika
Keywords index:
Pages: 43-52
Abstract:
Introduction: Epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder affecting more than 70 million people worldwide. Epilepsy is characterized as a complex of symptoms with multiple risk factors and a strong genetic predisposition.Purpose: To explore attitudes and views of adult patients with epilepsy regarding the disease.Material and Method: A descriptive study of a convenience sample of 100 patients visiting an outpatient clinic of public hospitals for regular follow-up. Data was collected by the completion of a specially designed questionnaire which included patients' attitudes and perceptions.
Results: Of the 100 participants, 56% were women and 37% were 30-40 years of age. Regarding the level of information, 88% and 77% of participants reported that they and their family were aware of the disease, respectively, while 59% had already indicated to their family, which services should alert in emergency. Also, 75% of the sample-studied reported to experience support from family members while 62% wanted to participate in a psychosocial support program. In addition, 65% and 72% reported to experience anxiety about the course of the disease and the likelihood of an upcoming epileptic episode, respectively, while 91% reported dependency on people close to them at the time of the crisis. In terms of social life, 53% concealed the problem from social environment and 74% sometimes avoided social activities. Conclusions: The results of the present study will encourage health professionals to focus on the bio-psychosocial assessment of adult patients with epilepsy as an integral part of treatment..
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