Citation

Okumura A, Abe S, Nakazawa M, Shimizu T. Pediatr. Int. 2014; 56(5): 759-762.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Japan Pediatric Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/ped.12350

PMID

24689836

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Media have recently reported car accidents related to persons with epilepsy in Japan. We were afraid that sensational media coverage may worsen the attitude toward epilepsy among non-medical persons. We performed a questionnaire survey among non-medical students in order to evaluate the effects of media on attitude toward epilepsy and driving license in persons with epilepsy.

METHODS: The survey was performed using a structured questionnaire. The students were divided into two groups according to knowledge on the recent serious car accidents related to persons with epilepsy. In order to clarify the effects of media coverage, we compared attitude toward epilepsy and driving license in persons with epilepsy between those who know the accidents and those who do not.

RESULTS: The rate of students who are familiar with epilepsy was higher in those who know the accidents, whereas no significant difference was observed in the attitude toward epilepsy. The rate of students who oppose for persons with epilepsy to get a driving license was not different according to the knowledge on car accidents, whereas that of students who oppose severe punishment to epilepsy patients in case of a car accident was lower in those who know the accidents.

CONCLUSIONS: Media coverage did not affect the attitude of the participants toward restriction of driving license in persons with epilepsy, whereas the rate of participants who objects severe punishment for car accidents in persons with epilepsy was decreased.

Language: en