Abstracts

Rationale: Patients with epilepsy (PWE) with poorly controlled seizures are restricted from driving in most developed countries but despite this many PWE still continue to drive Methods: This is a case-control study in which 42 patients with epilepsy (PWE) were studied along with 45 age and sex-matched normal control subjects. The adapted format of Driver perceptions and practices questionnaire (DPPQ) were verbally administered to the participants. DPPQ is a 46-item questionnaire that assesses the domains of safety concerns, Attitudes towards driving, Perceived susceptibility/severity, Perceived barriers, Helping relationship and Self-efficacy. The data obtained were collated and analyzed with the aid of SPSS version 15.0 statistical software. Results: Twelve patients were driving regularly among PWE while 15 normal controls were driving regularly. The controls thought of ways to improve their safety and were less likely to have confidence to ask family or friends to drive them when compared to PWE. The PWE that were students or unemployed and those who have driving licence have lower scores on "self-efficacy" domains" when compared PWE that were employed or possessed driving licence. PWE who had a high "Perceived barriers "to changing driving behavior and "Attitude towards driving" scores were more likely to drive when compared to PWE with lower scores. Conclusions: There were minor differences in driving behavior of PWE when compared to normal control subjects and PWE with high perceived barriers to changing driving behavior and poor attitude towards driving were more likely to drive.