DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i07.011

Pages: 2361-2363

Epilepsy is the most common neurologic disease. Despite recent advances in the management of epilepsy the efforts to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards epilepsy are limited, particularly in the developing countries. The study is conducted to determine the awareness of epilepsy among 1st year MBBS students of MIMS, Mandya. This cross-sectional study carried out for a month included 1st year medical students as study subjects. A pretested, structured questionnaire was administered to elicit the information. Data was entered in excel sheet and results were expressed in terms of percentage and proportions. The average age of the study subjects were 19.5±1.2 years. majority of them knew that it is not a mental illness (66%), it occurs in family (60%), and doesn’t spread through contact (78%). However, 18% of them felt that it occurs due to previous sin and 52% felt that it is not due to organic brain damage. Majority of them knew that it cannot be cured (61%) and requires lifelong treatment (80%). majority of them felt that a person with epileptic can work (75%) and can get married (68%). In the present study, the knowledge was inadequate and more emphasizes should be given on health education.