Knowledge on seizures and their immediate management among preschool teachers in Colombo district

Introduction: Seizures are common in childhood and need immediate attention. Preschool teachers play a key role in caring for children with seizure disorders. Yet, literature on preschool teachers’ knowledge on seizures and first-aid is scarce.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge regarding seizures and immediate management and attitudes towards the children with convulsions among preschool teachers in the Colombo District.

Method: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried from April to August 2017 using a pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire among 110 preschool teachers from private institutions, selected on a random basis representing all Medical Officers of Health (MOH) areas in Colombo District, Sri Lanka.

Results: One hundred and ten preschool teachers, 96.4% of whom were female, participated in the study and 76% had a diploma level qualification in preschool teaching. Majority (67.3%) had less than 10 year experience in preschool teaching. Of the respondents, 121 (81.8%) had a good knowledge regarding seizures but only 72 (49.1%) had knowledge regarding first-aid care; 66.4% of respondents had a good awareness about seizures while 60.9% of respondents had a poor attitudes towards the children with seizures. Significant correlations were found between the educational level and knowledge as well as previous training on seizure management and the knowledge about seizures.

Conclusions: Of the preschool teachers, 82% had a good knowledge regarding seizures, 66% had a good awareness about seizures but only 49% had knowledge regarding first-aid care and 61% had a poor attitude towards the children with seizures. Higher level of education and prior training on seizure management significantly correlated with knowledge on seizures.

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2021; 50(4): 681-686