Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41992159›Full record

SynthesisBMC public health2026

Attitudes and misconceptions surrounding epilepsy and first aid of seizures in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sally Shaaban, Lobna Ahmed Mohamed, Mohamed Saad Rakab, Mennatallah Nader Daawa, Eslam Radwan, Deena Abdullah Aldossary, Ahmad Hasan Aleissi, Maha Khadher Almatrafi, Zainab S Alalawi, Shorouk Mohsen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Sally ShaabanNeurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt.
Lobna Ahmed MohamedNeurology Department, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
Mohamed Saad RakabFaculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt.
Mennatallah Nader DaawaFaculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt.
Eslam RadwanFaculty of Medicine, Kafr El-Sheikh university, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
Deena Abdullah AldossaryImam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Ahmad Hasan AleissiCollege of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Maha Khadher AlmatrafiUmm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Zainab S AlalawiFaculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt.
Shorouk MohsenPublic Health and Community Medicine Department, Faculty Of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura City, Egypt. shoroukmohsen@mans.edu.eg.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeMisconceptions and knowledge gaps regarding epilepsy in the Eastern Mediterranean region (EMR) Arabic-speaking countries are common and may endanger people with epilepsy (PWE). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify public knowledge, misconceptions, and attitudes and synthesize pooled evidence to guide public health and educational interventions.

methodsThis is a systematic review and meta-analysis of misconceptions and attitudes within Arabic-speaking countries regarding epilepsy. A comprehensive literature search of the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they were cross-sectional studies assessing epilepsy awareness and/or attitudes and conducted in Arabic-speaking countries. The Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool were used for quality assessment. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated using the I² statistic. Results were reported as pooled proportions with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses assessed how individual studies affected the pooled results. The analysis was performed by Open Meta Analyst.

resultsAs of January 2024, 75 of 5,646 studies satisfied the inclusion criteria with a total sample size of 61,681. The pooled prevalence of good knowledge and positive attitude were 47.2% and 50.5%, respectively. The most common myth about seizure first aid was that placing objects in the mouth will decrease tongue biting with a pooled prevalence of 38.6%. Beliefs attributing the disorder to spirit possession and the evil eye had a pooled prevalence of 14.1% and 17.3%, respectively. Approximately 45% and 62% of participants were uncomfortable with their children playing with or marrying PWE. Contagion beliefs were common in the Levant (29.6%), while spirit possession was prevalent in North Africa (22.1%). Schoolteachers in the EMR had the lowest knowledge (42.2%) and least positive attitudes (33.9%). Pooled knowledge level showed minimal improvement over the past decade.

conclusionThere are still a lot of misunderstandings about epilepsy in the EMR, and these may vary depending on the demographic, study area, or historical period. Additionally, stigma around epilepsy remains a significant issue, highlighting the critical need for targeted awareness programs and legislative measures.

Indexed as

EpilepsyFirst AidHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeSeizuresHumansMediterranean RegionMiddle EastEastern Mediterranean regionEducationEpilepsyMisconceptionSeizure first aidStigma

Identifiers

PMID41992159
PMCPMC13091255

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.