Epilepsy knowledge and attitudes among syrian university students: a cross-sectional study

Epilepsy is a significant global health challenge with profound psychosocial impacts. University students, as future leaders, play a pivotal role in shaping societal perceptions and reducing stigma. This study aimed to assess epilepsy-related knowledge and attitudes among Syrian university students and to identify sociodemographic and academic factors associated with adequate knowledge and positive attitudes. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 394 Syrian university students (63.5% in health and medical fields) using a previously validated epilepsy knowledge and attitude instrument comprising a 16-item knowledge test and a 13-item attitude scale. Only 34.5% of participants demonstrated adequate knowledge, and 41.9% had positive attitudes. Major knowledge gaps were identified regarding epilepsy’s curability and appropriate seizure first-aid practices. Students from other academic fields had lower odds of adequate knowledge than those in health and medical science fields (aOR = 0.333, 95% CI: 0.200–0.553, p < 0.001). Male students had lower odds of a positive attitude than female students (aOR = 0.525, 95% CI: 0.347–0.794, p = 0.002). Self-rated knowledge was independently associated with both adequate knowledge and positive attitudes. The internet was the most commonly reported source of information (60.8%), whereas only 7.6% reported awareness campaigns as a source. Significant gaps in epilepsy-related knowledge and persistent elements of social stigma were identified among Syrian university students. The findings support the need for targeted epilepsy education, particularly regarding seizure first aid, common misconceptions, and stigma reduction, with evidence-based digital resources representing a potentially useful complementary approach.