Research Article

Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: August 15, 2026
TR EN

Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients and to examine the variables associated with knowledge and attitude scores.

Method: This descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study included 155 first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year nursing students from a state university. Data were collected using a Socio-Demographic Information Form, a Pediatric Epileptic Seizure Management Knowledge Test, and the Epilepsy Attitude Scale.

Results: The nursing students’ mean knowledge score for pediatric epileptic seizure management was 10.47 ± 3.13, which may be considered a relatively moderate level of knowledgewithin the context of this study group. Their attitudes toward epilepsy were generally positive, with mean scores of 59.92 ± 6.60 for the total scale, 45.32 ± 4.65 for the negative and discriminatory attitudes subscale, and 14.60 ± 2.94 for the positive attitudes subscale. Regression analysis showed that the examined variables explained 49% of the variance in knowledge scores. Knowledge levels were significantly associated with academic year, with first-year students demonstrating lower scores compared to students in higher years. Female students demonstrated slightly higher knowledge levels than male students; the negative beta coefficient (β = -0.14) reflected the coding of the sex variable in the regression model. Regarding attitudes, the examined variables explained 22% of the variance in positive attitude scores. Although male students had lower knowledge scores, they exhibited significantly more positive attitudes toward epileptic seizure management than female students (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that nursing students had knowledge gaps in pediatric epileptic seizure management despite generally positive attitudes. Academic year and gender were associated with knowledge scores, gender was associated with positive attitude scores. These findings may inform curriculum planning by highlighting the need to reinforce pediatric seizure management content and experiential learning opportunities, particularly in the early years of nursing education.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the ethical committee for noninterventional research at Hakkari University (17.06.2025, 2025/112-1).

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Community Child Health, Family Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

August 15, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

December 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Demir Kösem, D., Bektaş, M., & Haylı, Ç. M. (2026). Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Advanced Online Publication, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874
AMA
1.Demir Kösem D, Bektaş M, Haylı ÇM. Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study. TJFMPC. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication):1-9. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874
Chicago
Demir Kösem, Dilek, Murat Bektaş, and Çiğdem Müge Haylı. 2026. “Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward the Management of Epileptic Seizures in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, no. Advanced Online Publication: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874.
EndNote
Demir Kösem D, Bektaş M, Haylı ÇM (August 1, 2026) Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care Advanced Online Publication 1–9.
IEEE
[1]D. Demir Kösem, M. Bektaş, and Ç. M. Haylı, “Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study”, TJFMPC, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 1–9, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874.
ISNAD
Demir Kösem, Dilek - Bektaş, Murat - Haylı, Çiğdem Müge. “Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward the Management of Epileptic Seizures in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. Advanced Online Publication (August 1, 2026): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874.
JAMA
1.Demir Kösem D, Bektaş M, Haylı ÇM. Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study. TJFMPC. 2026;:1–9.
MLA
Demir Kösem, Dilek, et al. “Nursing Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward the Management of Epileptic Seizures in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study”. Turkish Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, pp. 1-9, doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874.
Vancouver
1.Dilek Demir Kösem, Murat Bektaş, Çiğdem Müge Haylı. Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study. TJFMPC. 2026 Aug. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):1-9. doi:10.21763/tjfmpc.1835874

English or Turkish manuscripts from authors with new knowledge to contribute to understanding and improving health and primary care are welcome. 


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