India

Investigators from Jaipur Dental College Have Published New Data on Epilepsy

  2012 MAY 15 - (VerticalNews.com) -- According to the authors of recent research from Rajasthan, India, "The present study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices about epilepsy among a group of dentists in Hyderabad city, India. All dentists registered with the local Dental Association branch were eligible to participate in this questionnaire study."

  "Descriptive and Inferential Statistics were used. Multiple group analysis was done using Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann Whitney U Test was used for two-group comparison. The variables were taken as significant at a p value of 0.05. A total of 217 respondents with mean age of 33.1+/-10.4 years participated in the study. Most respondents possessed a post-graduate (Master of Dental Surgery - MDS) degree (59.4%). A convulsion or shaking was identified as the most familiar recognizable symptom of epilepsy. 84.3% of the dentists would not object to their children having association with patients with epilepsy, and 61.3% would not object to their relative marrying a person with a history of epilepsy. A large number of dentists (178; 82%) were confident to treat a person with epilepsy. 95.3% assumed that they have an ethical responsibility to treat this population. None of the practice-related questions showed any significant difference with respect to different age groups, gender or the education levels (BDS/MDS). Our study reflects that this group of Indian dentists has a fairly high knowledge and positive attitudes toward patients with epilepsy," wrote D. Doshi and colleagues, Jaipur Dental College.

  The researchers concluded: "This encouraging approach and confidence among dentists may positively influence patients with epilepsy to seek dental care."

  Doshi and colleagues published their study in Epilepsy & Behavior (Dentists' knowledge, attitudes and practices toward patients with epilepsy in Hyderabad city, India. Epilepsy & Behavior, 2012;23(4):447-450).

  For additional information, contact D. Doshi, Jaipur Dental College, Dept. of Public Hlth Dental, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

  Publisher contact information for the journal Epilepsy & Behavior is: Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 525 B St, Ste 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.

  Keywords: City:Rajasthan, Country:India, Region:Asia, Dentistry, Brain Diseases, Central Nervous System Diseases

  This article was prepared by VerticalNews India editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2012, VerticalNews India via VerticalNews.com.