Assessment of the knowledge of parents of children treated for epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in children, significantly affecting their lives and those of their families. To assess parents' knowledge of childhood epilepsy, we conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional study.Material and methods : This survey was carried out among parents of children receiving treatment for epilepsy at the Provincial Hospital of Ouarzazate, Morocco. The study period extended from March 1 to September 1, 2024.Results :The study revealed several gaps in the understanding of epilepsy. Nearly 72% of parents had no prior knowledge of the disease before their child's diagnosis, and 67% did not know the cause of epilepsy. Moreover, erroneous beliefs, such as viewing the disease as caused by evil spirits or as a mental illness, persisted among a significant number of parents.Conclusion: These findings underscore the urgent need to improve knowledges, education for parents to better manage childhood epilepsy, particularly through information campaigns tailored to the local cultural and social realities.