Improving the knowledge of epilepsy and reducing epilepsy-related stigma among children using educational video and educational drama--a comparison of the effectiveness of both interventions

Purpose: This study was intended to compare the effectiveness of educational animated video and educational drama in improving the knowledge of epilepsy and reducing epilepsy-related stigma among children aged 9-11 years.

Method: The first group of children involved in the study (n(1)=762) watched a video and then completed a questionnaire on epilepsy. The second group (n(2)=400) completed the questionnaire after participating in a drama. Both groups were retested 6 months later by the same questionnaire, which was also completed by a control group (n(3)=180) not subjected to intervention.

Results: Both groups subjected to intervention achieved significantly higher scores (P<0.001) than the control group on knowledge of epilepsy and on attitudes towards children with the disease. Educational video was more effective than drama in improving knowledge of epilepsy. On the other hand, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two kinds of intervention regarding attitudes towards children with this disease.

Conclusion: The results suggest that both interventions could be used to reduce epilepsy-related stigma in this age group.