Correlation between Epilepsy Self-Management Behaviors and Seizure Frequency among Patients with Epilepsy in Iran Epilepsy Association

Epilepsy is a chronic condition results in seizure and leads to debilitating conditions in patients. Epilepsy self-management behaviors include activities to manage the disease. The aim of this study was to assess self-management behaviors and its correlation with seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy. In this correlation study, 120 patients with epilepsy were selected from Iran Epilepsy Association using convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic checklist, Dilorio´s epilepsy self-management behaviors scale and a checklist to record the number of seizures. Data were analyzed in the SPSS-16 using the correlation coefficient. The mean score of the self-management behaviors was 118.05±21.54. The highest score was in the area of seizure management (79.9) and the lowest score was in the area of drug management (57.56). There was a significant relationship between the epilepsy self-management behaviors and the frequency of seizures in patients with epilepsy (r=-0.3; P<0.001). The frequency of self-management behaviors was moderate. In patients with higher self-management behaviors score, seizures frequency was found to be lower.