Parental KAP and its Relation with the Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder with recurrent unprovoked seizures which can affect children at any age. A child’s quality of life (QOL) is significantly impacted by an epilepsy diagnosis throughout their formative years. Adjustment and QOL for the child and family are highly correlated with parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding epilepsy. OBJECTIVES: Determining the association between parental KAP and the QOL of children with epilepsy (CWE) and to study the association between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using convenience sampling procedure, 30 CWE between the ages of 6 and 14—of either sex—and their 30 parents made up the sample. The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) tool, which was given to parents, and the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire-55 (QOLCE-55), which was given to CWE, were used to gather the data. Frequency distribution, percentage, and correlation coefficient tests were used to assess the measures. RESULTS: There were statistically significant relationships between the QOL and KAP domains and parental education, domicile, and socioeconomic position. The cognitive, emotional, and social domains of QOL were adversely connected with the knowledge domain in KAP, but the physical domain was positively correlated. Parents’ behavior and physical QOL were found to be negatively correlated. CONCLUSION: Although educated parents had sufficient information and a positive outlook, there was a discrepancy between recommended and actual practice, and KAP has an impact on the QOL of CWE. Parental education initiatives may significantly improve understanding and promote healthy behaviors.