Survey of public awareness, attitudes, and understanding toward epilepsy in Nhan Chinh, Hanoi, Vietnam, in 2003.

Purpose: Many studies have shown that cultural and social awareness of, attitudes toward, and knowledge about epilepsy can have an impact on the acceptance of treatment. The aim of this study is to characterize public awareness of attitudes toward and understanding of epilepsy in a Vietnamese community and to compare results with those obtained in other cultures.

Methods: A survey concerning the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Vietnamese people with respect to epilepsy was carried out in the Nhan Chinh precinct of Hanoi.