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Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Avicenna J Med 2025; 15(02): 086-091
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1809427
Original Article

Awareness and Attitude of First Aid Seizures Management among Medical Undergraduate Students, Tobruk University, Libya

Zinelabedin Mohamed
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya
,
Aisha A.J. Marajie
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya
,
Nahla B.S. Najem
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya
,
Nooralhuda G.M. Elmarimy
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya
,
Heba M.A. Abdulmoula
1   Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tobruk University, Tobruk, Libya
,
Mohammad Amin Aly El-Din 
2   Clinical Research Department, Abou Al Monagga Central Hospital, Health Affairs Directorate, Ministry of Health and Population, Qalyubia, Egypt
› Author Affiliations
Funding None.
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Abstract

Background

Adequate knowledge of first aid for seizures is crucial for medical students, who will eventually be responsible for managing epilepsy patients. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness and attitudes of medical undergraduate students at Tobruk University regarding first aid seizure management.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was initiated in July 2023 using an online questionnaire that was prevalidated. The questionnaire gathered data on sociodemographic features, a knowledge of seizures and epilepsy, first aid practices, and attitudes toward epilepsy among 317 medical undergraduate students.

Results

While 72.9% of students correctly identified a seizure, there were different beliefs about causes, such as some that attributed seizures to supernatural causes (14.2%). There were also deficiencies seen in the knowledge of epilepsy management that included antiepileptic drug treatment duration. It was alarming that 41.6% of students thought that the insertion of some objects into the mouth of a person having a seizure was first aid, which is a well-known hazardous approach. Only 23.6% were correct in the answers that involved the placement of the person in a semiprone position to prevent choking.

Conclusion

The study at Tobruk University revealed significant knowledge gaps among medical students about seizure management, with 72.9% correctly identifying a seizure's basic definition, but 41.6% incorrectly believing that inserting objects into a seizing person's mouth is helpful, and only 23.6% knowing the correct first aid position. Students also demonstrated misconceptions about epilepsy causes, including supernatural beliefs, highlighting an urgent need for targeted educational interventions to improve understanding and prepare future health care professionals.

Keywords

awareness - first Aid - Libya - medical students - seizure management - Tobruk University

Authors' Contributions

Z.M. contributed to methodology and wrote the original draft. A.A.J.M. was responsible for writing review and editing, methodology, and conceptualization. N.B.S.N. handled project administration and methodology. N.G.M.E. contributed to writing, review and editing, as well as methodology. H.M.A.A. focused on drafting the introduction section. M.A.A.E.-D. performed formal analysis and data curation.


Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author.




Publication History

Article published online:
12 June 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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