PARENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY

Objective: To investigate the level of knowledge about epilepsy and its relationship with mental health in parents whose children had epilepsy. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study which assessed 35 parents (27 mothers-8 fathers)of children who had been diagnosed for epilepsy by convenience sampling at Golestan Hospital in Ahwaz. Parents were given epilepsy knowledge questionnaire and GHQ-28. Results: About 65.7% of parents were considered to have psychological problems. In 91.4% of parents, the level of knowledge about epilepsy was poor and incorrect. Significant correlation was found between level of parental knowledge and mental health (p 001). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest parents with epileptic children need more information and education about epilepsy for decreasing psychological problems. So psychosocial assessment and greater access to mental health services in order to provide appropriate intervention may be beneficial.