Honors Theses
Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Pharmacy Administration
First Advisor
Meagen Rosenthal
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Epilepsy is thought to be a very rare condition, and therefore many people do not know how to react or what to do when a person has a seizure. Epilepsy is in fact twice as common as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and cystic fibrosis combined. Furthermore, there is not a cure to stop the seizures for many people. Attending college is a challenging experience, but managing epilepsy while in college can be even more difficult. Hence it is important for all students to learn the basics of epilepsy and especially how to help a person having a seizure. However, before this education can be provided, an understanding of students' baseline knowledge is needed. The primary objectives of this study were to assess the level of knowledge among the students attending the University of Mississippi Oxford campus and to determine the level of interest in a support group focusing on epilepsy. An online survey, containing four sections, was distributed to University of Mississippi students via the university email system. A statistical analysis software package called Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), was used to examine the frequency of correct quiz scores and the frequency of students with an interest in a support group. Out of the 114 students that completed the survey, 112 answered the fifteen-question knowledge quiz. While some students demonstrated little knowledge of epilepsy, most students displayed an average amount of knowledge. Students participating in health professions programs appeared to score higher on the quiz than those who were not participating in health professions programs. There was an average level of interest in an epilepsy support group among the students. Considering the data, it appears that students at the University of Mississippi should receive additional education about epilepsy. One effective way to provide this education would be to include a mandatory seminar in the freshman orientation on epilepsy and how to help someone having a seizure.
Recommended Citation
Reid, Alyssa, "Knowledge of Epilepsy in Students Attending the University of Mississippi Oxford Campus" (2017). Honors Theses. 53.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/53
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