Epilepsy knowledge and attitudes among syrian university students: a cross-sectional study

Epilepsy is a significant global health challenge with profound psychosocial impacts. University students, as future leaders, play a pivotal role in shaping societal perceptions and reducing stigma. This study aimed to assess epilepsy-related knowledge and attitudes among Syrian university students and to identify sociodemographic and academic factors associated with adequate knowledge and positive attitudes.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 394 Syrian university students (63.5% in health and medical fields) using a previously validated epilepsy knowledge and attitude instrument comprising a 16-item knowledge test and a 13-item attitude scale. Only 34.5% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge, and 41.9% had positive attitudes. Major knowledge gaps were identified regarding epilepsy’s curability and appropriate seizure first-aid practices.

Students from other academic fields had lower odds of adequate knowledge than those in health and medical science fields (aOR = 0.333, 95% CI: 0.200–0.553, p