Background: The role of teachers in the school as the first line-role model in emergencies situation could be only achieved through an evaluation of their awareness and knowledge about first-aid procedures. The present study aims to assess the level of knowledge regarding first aid procedures for seizure and its associated factors among female teachers at elementary school in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among a sample of female teachers of elementary schools in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered validated questionnaire was utilized for the data collection. Results: Two hundred forty-seven (247) female teachers were included in the study. Among the total subjects studied, the total knowledge score percentage regarding epilepsy first aid ranged between 0% and 83.33% with a mean ± standard deviation of 36.50 ± 24.74%. Divorced/widowed female teachers were more knowledgeable regarding epilepsy first aid compared to single and married teachers (mean ranks was 150.83 vs. 105.56 and 124.62, respectively). Teachers who were aware of epilepsy first aid were more knowledgeable regarding it compared to those who were not aware (mean rank was 150.69 vs. 106.74), p < 0.001. Teachers who had experience with an epileptic student in the class the current or previous year or previously were more knowledgeable about epilepsy first aid compared with those without such experience (mean rank was 153.39 vs. 124.67), p = 0.016. Majority of the teachers (96.8%) perceived the importance of establishing an epilepsy first aid training course. Conclusion: Awareness and knowledge among female elementary school teachers in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia about epilepsy first aid were not satisfactory. This could largely due to the lack of proper and effective training regarding first aid procedures.
Key words: Epilepsy, epilepsy first aid, patient with epilepsy.
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