Preparedness of undergraduate health students to provide women-specific epilepsy care: knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes in Saudi Arabia
- 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University
- 2Scientific Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University
- 3Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University
Abstract
Background: Women with epilepsy have distinct reproductive, clinical, and psychosocial healthcare needs that require women-specific care. This study assessed the preparedness of undergraduate health students by examining their knowledge, attitudes, and stigmatizing beliefs.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 339 undergraduate health students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Multiple linear regression examined the factors associated with total knowledge score, while the ≥60% knowledge benchmark was retained for descriptive and exploratory sensitivity analyses.
Results: The mean knowledge score was 7.37 ± 2.96 out of 16 (46.1%), and 23.6% met the ≥60% benchmark. Knowledge gaps were most evident in reproductive health, hormonal influences, fertility, antiseizure medication safety, and contraceptive counseling topics. Attitudes were generally supportive, although stigma persisted regarding marriage, parenting, and close relationships. Male gender and earlier academic year were associated with lower adjusted knowledge scores, whereas field of study, epilepsy history, formal education, and recent training were not significantly associated with knowledge.
Conclusion: Undergraduate health students demonstrated substantial knowledge gaps in women-specific epilepsy care, despite generally supportive attitudes. Reviewing curricular coverage and addressing identified gaps in reproductive health, medication safety, contraception, pregnancy-related care, and stigma may enhance preparedness for evidence-based, patient-centered care. The threshold-based logistic sensitivity analysis should be considered exploratory because of the low events-per-parameter ratio.
Related
- Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers regarding artificial intelligence among undergraduate nursing students in Somalia: A cross-sectional study
- Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions Regarding Artificial Intelligence Among Undergraduate Medical Students.
- The effect of role play-based education on nursing students’ stigmatizing attitudes, empathy levels, and communication skills toward the care of individuals with substance use disorder
- Health workforce preparedness for sepsis care in Bahrain: a cross-sectional survey of guideline knowledge, attitudes, and practices
- Attitudes Toward E-Learning Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in Greece: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.
BibTeX
@article{alzahrani2026preparedness,
title = {{Preparedness of undergraduate health students to provide women-specific epilepsy care: knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes in Saudi Arabia}},
author = {Fahad Alzahrani and Yasir Alharbi and Yazeed Almuzaini and Abdulaziz Abdulhakeem and Roba Almughadhwi and Deema Aljohani and Abdulaziz Alhujayri and Abdulrahman Alsaadi and Alaa M. Alhammad and Bandar D. Alrehaili and Faris S. Alnezary},
journal = {Frontiers in Neurology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fneur.2026.1983041},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1983041/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Preparedness of undergraduate health students to provide women-specific epilepsy care: knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes in Saudi Arabia
AU - Fahad Alzahrani
AU - Yasir Alharbi
AU - Yazeed Almuzaini
AU - Abdulaziz Abdulhakeem
AU - Roba Almughadhwi
AU - Deema Aljohani
AU - Abdulaziz Alhujayri
AU - Abdulrahman Alsaadi
AU - Alaa M. Alhammad
AU - Bandar D. Alrehaili
AU - Faris S. Alnezary
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Frontiers in Neurology
DO - 10.3389/fneur.2026.1983041
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1983041/full
AB - Background: Women with epilepsy have distinct reproductive, clinical, and psychosocial healthcare needs that require women-specific care. This study assessed the preparedness of undergraduate health students by examining their knowledge, attitudes, and stigmatizing beliefs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 339 undergraduate health students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia, using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Multiple linear regression examined the factors associated with total knowledge score, while the ≥60% knowledge benchmark was retained for descriptive and exploratory sensitivity analyses. Results: The mean knowledge score was 7.37 ± 2.96 out of 16 (46.1%), and 23.6% met the ≥60% benchmark. Knowledge gaps were most evident in reproductive health, hormonal influences, fertility, antiseizure medication safety, and contraceptive counseling topics. Attitudes were generally supportive, although stigma persisted regarding marriage, parenting, and close relationships. Male gender and earlier academic year were associated with lower adjusted knowledge scores, whereas field of study, epilepsy history, formal education, and recent training were not significantly associated with knowledge. Conclusion: Undergraduate health students demonstrated substantial knowledge gaps in women-specific epilepsy care, despite generally supportive attitudes. Reviewing curricular coverage and addressing identified gaps in reproductive health, medication safety, contraception, pregnancy-related care, and stigma may enhance preparedness for evidence-based, patient-centered care. The threshold-based logistic sensitivity analysis should be considered exploratory because of the low events-per-parameter ratio.
SN - 1664-2295
ER -