Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Primary School Teachers towards Seizing Children, Jimma Town, South Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Seizure is one of the most common abnormal neurologic conditions that represent the uncontrolled, abnormal electrical activity of the brain that may cause changes in the level of consciousness, behaviour, memory, or feelings. They are characterized by sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain that can result in a wide range of physical and behavioural manifestations. Seizure is poorly understood by the public and has been associated with numerous misconceptions and beliefs. This has a significant impact on the lives of individuals and their families. It can disrupt daily activities, hinder educational progress, and lead to social stigma and discrimination. Since teachers have a key role in society as educators assessing their knowledge, attitude, and practice towards seizing children and knowing their gaps have a significant input in correcting the misconceptions and wrong beliefs in the public and improving the care and future life of children with seizures. Objective: The main aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of primary school teachers towards seizing children in Jimma town, south-western Ethiopia. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted among teachers in private and public primary schools found in Jimma town from March to December, 2023. They were assessed on their knowledge, attitude and practice towards seizing students using a selfadministrated questionnaire. 24 governmental and 26 private primary schools were included in this study which was selected by stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected by using structured pre-tested questionnaire. The data on the questionnaire was entered into Epi-data manager version 3.1 and double entry verification was made and then was exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify covariates associated with the outcome variable. Result: The finding of this study showed that, 45.1% of study participants had good knowledge towards seizing children, 59.8% of the schoolteachers had positive attitude while only 35.8% had good practice from which About half (51.5%) of respondents had ever seen seizing child in their classroom/schools, of which 85% gave first aid. Of first aid given; most (75.3%) of them were used to protect his head by putting a cloth under his head and promptly move the child away from danger, while 64.1% of them helped the child to lay on his side. In other ways, (61.2%) of them used to insert a spoon or gag into the mouth and give the child prescribed medication.