THE EFFICACY OF SELF-CARE EDUCATION ON KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE OF EPILEPTIC PATIENTS WHO REFERRED TO SELECTED EDUCATIONAL HOSPITALS OF TEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES IN 2008.

A�Large number of epileptic people in developing countries are confronted with unpleasant incidents that may be due to inadequate instructions. If they were given enough care, they most likely would live as normal individuals and could restart their daily activities. Consequently, they would be less influenced by psychological and bodily effects of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of self-care education on knowledge and functions of epileptic individuals who referred to selected educational hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2008.

Materials & Methods: This study was accomplished over 120 patients who were divided by a systematic method into two groups: an experimental and a control group. In the first step, the demographic information of the patients was collected and a survey investigating both groups’ knowledge and functions was carried out through a questionnaire. Then the experimental group was instructed using appropriate educational materials. The second step of the study was accomplished one month after the last session of the instruction by re-examining both groups’ knowledge using the same initial questionnaire.

Results: The results show that patients’ knowledge and function scores of experimental group were increased and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the scores of the first and the second test of the control group.

Conclusion: Self-education of epileptic people not only increases their knowledge and affects their functions but also encourages them to take care of themselves which prevents re-hospitalization