Nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes toward the management of epileptic seizures in pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study
Öz
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.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Etik Beyan
Kaynakça
- 1. Rozensztrauch A, Kołtuniuk A. The quality of life of children with epilepsy and the impact of the disease on the family functioning. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(4):2277. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042277.
- 2. World Health Organization; 2024. Epilepsy. Access address: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/epilepsy. Access Date: 10.04.2025.
- 3. Kariuki SM, Thomas PT, Newton CR. Epilepsy stigma in children in low-income and middle-income countries. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2021;5(5):314-316. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00090-0.
- 4. Lang J, Jeschke S, Herziger B, Müller RM, Bertsche T, Neininger MP, et al. Prejudices against people with epilepsy as perceived by affected people and their families. Epilepsy Behav. 2022;127:108535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108535.
- 5. Clifford LM, Brothers SL, Lang A. Self-disclosure patterns among children and youth with epilepsy: Impact of perceived-stigma. Adolesc Health Med Ther. 2023;14:27-43. https://doi.org/10.2147/AHMT.S336124.
- 6. Price P, Kobau R, Buelow J, Austin J, Lowenberg K. Improving understanding, promoting social inclusion, and fostering empowerment related to epilepsy: Epilepsy Foundation public awareness campaigns-2001 through 2013. Epilepsy Behav. 2015;44:239-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2014.12.044.
- 7. Steiger BK, Jokeit H. Why epilepsy challenges social life. Seizure. 2017;44:194-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2016.09.008.
- 8. Dayapoğlu N, Tan M. Clinical nurses’ knowledge and attitudes toward patients with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2016;61:206-209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.05.009.
Ayrıntılar
Birincil Dil
İngilizce
Konular
Toplum Çocuk Sağlığı, Aile Hekimliği
Bölüm
Araştırma Makalesi
Erken Görünüm Tarihi
15 Ağustos 2026
Yayımlanma Tarihi
-
Gönderilme Tarihi
4 Aralık 2025
Kabul Tarihi
23 Haziran 2026
Yayımlandığı Sayı
Yıl 2026 Sayı: Advanced Online Publication