The effect of a web-based epilepsy education program developed for teachers on their knowledge, attitudes, and self-management

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based epilepsy education program developed for primary school teachers on their epilepsy-related knowledge, attitudes, and self-management skills. Design and methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design was employed. The study was conducted with 108 teachers (n = 54 intervention, n = 54 control) from four primary schools affiliated with a Provincial Directorate of National Education located in the western region of Turkey. While the control group continued with the standard curriculum, the intervention group received a 12-week web-based epilepsy education program. Data were collected at 3 and 6 months post-intervention using the Descriptive Information Form, the Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Epilepsy Among School Teachers Scale, and the Epilepsy Self-Management Scale for Teachers. Data analysis included one-way and multiple ANOVA, independent samples t-tests, and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. Results: No significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups in terms of socio-demographic characteristics (p > 0.05). After the intervention, the intervention group showed significantly higher mean scores in epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, and self-management compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Within-group analyses also revealed statistically significant improvements in all three outcome measures among teachers in the intervention group over time (p < 0.05). Conclusions and implications for practice: The web-based epilepsy education program was found to be an effective, accessible, and user-friendly tool for improving teachers' knowledge and attitudes about epilepsy, as well as enhancing their self-management skills in responding to epilepsy-related situations. Integrating such programs into teacher training may contribute to safer school environments and improved care continuity for children with epilepsy.