Child rearing issues for mothers with epilepsy: A case control study

• Main Authors: Saramma P, Thomas S, Sarma P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2006-01-01
• Series: Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology
• Subjects: Child rearing practices; parenting; registry of epilepsy and pregnancy; women with epilepsy
• Online Access: http://www.bioline.org.br/request?06037

<b>Background:</b> Epilepsy can cause additional problems in child rearing to mothers with epilepsy (MWE). We aimed to ascertain the knowledge and practice of child rearing in MWE with a pretested questionnaire and compare it with that of mothers without epilepsy (MWoE). <b> Materials and Methods:</b> A standard questionnaire on knowledge (20 questions) and practice (10 questions) of child rearing was prepared through literature review, consultation with subject experts and interview with patients. The questionnaire was administered to 20 MWE with infants less than one-year age and 20 MWoE (matched for age, parity and education). <b> Results:</b> The knowledge on safety needs of infants was significantly (<i> P</i> < 0.01) lower for MWE than for MWoE but the over all knowledge on child rearing was comparable for both groups (12.45 &#x00B1; 2.95 for MWE and 13.1 &#x00B1; 3.13 for MWoE). The mean score on child rearing practice (CRP) was significantly lower (<i> P</i> < 0.05) for MWE (27 &#x00B1; 2.51) than for MWoE (28 &#x00B1; 1.6). There were three instances of accidentally dropping the baby for the epilepsy group. There was a trend towards better CRP as the knowledge on CR increased.