الفهرس 
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Abstract
Periodic seizures that are a symptom of the chronic condition epilepsy are brought on by abnormally integrated firing impulses in the brain. It is among the most prevalent neurological conditions. In wealthy nations, the incidence rate of childhood epilepsy is from 3.2 to 5.5, but it ranges from 3.6 to 44 in less developed nations. The main causes of this condition include underlying genetic problems or birth-related brain damage, among other things. According to earlier research, 30% of children with epilepsy CWE continued to experience seizures despite receiving AEDs. Epilepsy is still a stigmatised condition, with the stigma being attributed to a lack of knowledge and illiteracy.
Providing the right kind of information is crucial in helping to manage these patients and their loved ones. Anxiety is common among parents of children with epilepsy, and it has a direct impact on the quality of life of these parents. Informed parents tend to have less worry and concern about their child’s epilepsy. Better informed parents also reported less worry for their children, allowing them to spend more time together doing things they like as a family. There is a correlation between epilepsy education and a decrease in depression, social isolation, and misunderstanding. In general, parents’ perspectives about their children with epilepsy reflect their level of familiarity with the disorder.
Aim of the study:
The current study aimed to assess the parent`s awareness regarding their epileptic children in minia university maternal and children hospital.
Research Design:
A cross-sectional descriptive research design was utilized in this study.
Setting:
The study was conducted at neuro- psychiatric outpatient clinic at Minia University Maternal and Children Hospital.
Study population:
A purposive sampling technique was used. The participants from parents had epileptic children who attending with their children who visited the clinic. A total of 250 parent had epileptic children who were eligible for the study were included.
Data Collection Tool:
A structured interview questionnaire was conducted, it was designed in the light of parameters assessed in similar studies; however, it was modified to suit the situation in Egypt. The questionnaire was divided into four tools covering the following topics:
I-First tool:
Socio-demographic data: covers the data related to children and their parent.
II-Second tool:
Assessment of the knowledge about epilepsy among parents. Knowledge was assessed via nineteen questions.
III-Third tool:
It was used to assess parent’s attitude regarding epilepsy via twenty-five statements.
IV-Fourth tool:
Self-reported practices of parents were assessed via sixteen questions.
Ethical Considerations:
Written approval was obtained from the ethics and research committee of the Faculty of Nursing, Mina University. Oral consent was obtained from each participant after explaining the nature & objectives of the study to gain their cooperation. Each assessment sheet was coded and subjects’ names did not appear on the sheets for the purpose of anonymity and confidentiality. Subjects were free to withdraw from the study at any time.
The present study revealed the following main results:
• The total knowledge of parents regarding epilepsy was poor, fifty-nine-point two percent.
• Ninety-three-point two percent of the parents who participate in the study have a positive attitude regarding epilepsy.
• Seventy-two-point eight percent of parent had poor practices.
• There was higher statistically significant relation between attitudes score and educational level, age and residence p value 0.001, 0.001, and 0.01 respectively.
• No statistically significant relation between practices scores and socio-demographic characteristics.
• There was higher statistically significant relation between total knowledge score and educational level, p value 0.005 and no statistically significant relationship between total knowledge score, regarding age and residence.
• There was statistically significant correlation between Parents’ knowledge and attitudes p value=0.001and there is no statistically significant correlation between Parents’ knowledge with practices and between Parents’ attitudes with practices p value=0.9 and 0.4 respectively.
Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that:
• There was high number of parent had poor knowledge about epilepsy and poor practices. Opposite that present highly number of parent had positive attitude towards their epileptic children.
The main recommendations are:
• Health education for parents about seizure precautions through clear and applicable guidelines.
• Further studies should be done on more parent number, to give accurate prevalence and knowledge about epilepsy in children.
• Establishing national mass media survey for early detect cases and prevent risk factors for epilepsy ,for example T.V, new technology, social media…etc.
• Most hospital and health professionals should provide training program for parent regarding their epileptic children as (definition, s&s, causes, treatment, complication, first aid during epileptic fit…….et) .
• Establishment of national guidelines about epileptic disease.
• Design and distribute related booklets & brochures to guide parents and the society about epilepsy.
• Establishing a standard of care for children with epilepsy in hospitals and clinics is essential.
• Continuous health education /counseling of parent /care givers should be established at outpatient clinic at each visit to identify factors affecting parents’ knowledge and practices regarding care of their epileptic children.