Epilepsy Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Front-Line Healthcare Workers in the City of Conakry

Abstract

Epilepsy is a serious brain disease that affects people of all ages. Evaluating healthcare staff is a key factor in improving the care of people with epilepsy. We studied the knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare personnel.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study based on a multicenter survey running from August 1 to February 31, 2023, in six (06) medical community centers in the city of Conakry.

Including all healthcare staff who agreed to complete the questionnaire correctly, which included closed and open questions based on socio-demographic data and staff knowledge, attitude and practice.

Results: Our survey involved 382 out of 476 employees (80%). The average age was 41.12 ± 16.2 years, associated with an average seniority of 17.07 ± 6.1 years. For 47.12%, epilepsy was a contagious disease, and 37.17% considered a seizure to be a clinical sign of epilepsy with the best-known etiology infection 82.98%. The electroencephalogram confirmed the diagnosis in 52.61% of cases, 69.63% of which were never attended; 81.67% attended several seizures and 78.27% had an object put in their mouth. The most frequent types 85.60% were generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 89.79% of medical treatment was benzodiazepine with a severe prognosis in 95.02%.

Conclusion: The fight against epilepsy in Guinea must involve training and equipping healthcare personnel, as well as raising awareness and educating the population to improve patients’ quality of life.