Abstracts

Rationale: Children with epilepsy are at risk of social isolation. Attending special schools or individual education programs, despite lack of contraindications, may contribute to further social discrimination. Methods: The PRO-Epi survey study was initiated by the Polish Society of Epileptology and the UCB Pharma to investigate the facilitation of primary education system by children with epilepsy in Poland. Poles (n=1042), parents of children with epilepsy (n=313), school principals (n=200) and neurologists (n=179) were interviewed to describe the magnitude of the problem and to identify social factors associated with reluctance of children with epilepsy from the ordinary schools. Results: Although most physicians (60%) and school principals (69%) agree that the ordinary school is the best choice for children with epilepsy, willingness of ordinary schools to admit these children, in the opinion of parents and physicians, is slight (26% and 16%, respectively). According to the parents of children with epilepsy, the main reasons for this reluctance are teachers' fear of seizures and their inadequate knowledge about epilepsy. 43% of parents choose other education options for their children than the ordinary schools. Except the unarguable medical reasons, this decision is also affected by such social factors as fear of classmates' attitude (25%), stress avoidance (22%), other children parents' dislike (9%), other children's exposure to the scene of seizure (10%) and previously experienced school principals' reluctance (26%). Conclusions: This situation can be changed by proper education of the Polish society in general and school teachers in particular. It would improve the understanding of young patients living with epilepsy and their parents.