Evaluation of the effect of self management on epilepsy attacks in individuals with epilepsy

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the self-management levels of individuals with epilepsy and to evaluate the effect of self-management on epilepsy attacks. Materials and Methods: This is descriptive and cross-sectional study. The sample of this study consisted of 103 individual with epilepsy, a mean age of 38.36 ± 14.46 years, who were followed up and treated in the neurology outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Data were collected by face-to-face interview with Patient Identification Form and Epilepsy Self-Management Scale. Statistical analysis was performed using T test and Mann Whitney U tests. Results: It was determined that 28.2% of individual with epilepsy had no seizures in the last year and 55.3% had seizures in the last month. The total score average of the Epilepsy Self Management Scale was 108,76 ± 14,61.Scale subscale mean scores were; Drug management 23,81±0,39, Information management 17,41±0,52, Security management 10,80±0,27, Seizure management 31,60±0,47 and Lifestyle 25,11±0,49. Epilepsy Self-Management Scale subscale scores of individuals with and without epilepsy in the last year; while there was no significant difference according to Drug Management, Information Management, Security Management and Lifestyle scores, there was a significant difference according to Seizure Management scores. Epilepsy Self-Management Scale subscale scores of those who had epilepsy episode in the last month and who had more than one month before; No significant difference was found according to Information Management, Security Management, Seizure Management and Lifestyle scores, but a significant difference was found in Drug Management scores. Conclusions: It was concluded that seizure management and drug management are effective in controlling the frequency of epilepsy attacks in individuals with epilepsy. According to these results; evaluation of self-management behaviors of individuals with epilepsy and planning of trainings to increase these behaviors can be suggested. Key Words: Epilepsy, epileptic seizure, epilepsy self management scale.