ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Childhood epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders in children, with significant health, social and educational consequences (Renzetti et al., 2020). In schools, managing seizures is often complex due to a lack of knowledge about the condition, widespread prejudice and the absence of clear and uniform procedures (Renzetti et al., 2020). In this context, school nurses can play a central role in promoting health and disseminating accurate information, supporting school staff and ensuring a safe and informed approach (Davis and Lynch, 2018). The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and skills of school staff in managing childhood epilepsy and the effectiveness of a targeted training intervention. It also explores the future role of the school nurse as a reference figure for health safety in schools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicentre, evidence-based, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted between 23 April and 18 September 2025 in three schools in the provinces of Ascoli Piceno and Teramo. A total of 96 participants, including teachers, school staff and supervisors, were enrolled through convenience sampling. Two structured questionnaires were administered, before and after the training event, to assess changes in the general knowledge, attitudes and practical management of epileptic seizures by school staff. RESULTS: The training significantly improved the knowledge, perception and skills of school staff. After the training, participants showed greater awareness of the number of people with epilepsy in Italy, a more accurate understanding of the causes and onset of the condition, and an increased belief that epilepsy does not predispose people to mental or behavioural disorders. Practical skills increased, with more correct management of seizures and greater confidence in the administration of emergency medications such as Micropam and Buccolam. The intervention also promoted a more appropriate approach to recreational and sporting activities and awareness of the need for standardised internal procedures. ANALYSIS: Data analysis was conducted through a primary descriptive phase, in which the variables were analysed according to their nature, qualitative and ordinal, summarised by absolute frequencies (n.) and percentages (%), using Microsoft Excel® software, and secondarily by an inferential phase. The latter compares the responses of participants PRE and POST the training intervention in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme using the t-test for paired samples, setting the level of statistical significance at p < 0.05. The statistical software used was R studio version 4.5.1. DISCUSSIONS: Childhood epilepsy requires specific skills and careful management in the school environment. The training intervention has been shown to fill knowledge and operational gaps, improving the confidence, safety and responsiveness of educational staff. The results highlight the key role of the school nurse as a trainer and coordinator of health safety. Future studies should evaluate more extensive and repeated training programmes over time to ensure uniform management of epilepsy in Italian schools. KEYWORDS: “Childhood epilepsy”, “Seizure management”, “School nurse”, “Educational programme”, “School”.
ABSTRACT INTRODUZIONE: L’epilessia infantile è una delle patologie neurologiche croniche più diffuse in età pediatrica, con rilevanti conseguenze sul piano sanitario, sociale ed educativo (Renzetti et al., 2020). In ambito scolastico, la gestione delle crisi convulsive è spesso complessa a causa della scarsa conoscenza della malattia, di pregiudizi diffusi e della mancanza di procedure chiare ed uniformi (Renzetti et al., 2020). In questo contesto, l’infermiere scolastico può svolgere un ruolo centrale nella promozione della salute e nella diffusione di corrette informazioni, supportando il personale scolastico e garantendo un approccio sicuro e consapevole (Davis and Lynch, 2018). Lo studio intende valutare conoscenze, atteggiamenti e competenze del personale scolastico nella gestione dell’epilessia infantile e l’efficacia di un intervento formativo mirato. Inoltre, esplora il ruolo futuro dell’infermiere scolastico come figura di riferimento per la sicurezza sanitaria nelle scuole. MATERIALI E METODI: Si è condotto uno studio trasversale multicentrico evidence-based pilota tra il 23 aprile e il 18 settembre 2025 in tre istituti scolastici delle province di Ascoli Piceno e Teramo. Sono stati arruolati, attraverso un campionamento di convenienza, n. 96 partecipanti tra docenti, collaboratori scolastici e preposti. Sono stati somministrati due questionari strutturati, pre e post evento formativo, per valutare i cambiamenti apportati alle conoscenze generali, agli atteggiamenti e alla gestione pratica delle crisi epilettiche da parte del personale scolastico. RISULTATI: L’intervento formativo ha migliorato significativamente conoscenze, percezione e competenze del personale scolastico. Dopo la formazione, i partecipanti hanno mostrato maggiore consapevolezza sul numero di persone con epilessia in Italia, una comprensione più accurata delle cause e dell’insorgenza della patologia e un incremento della convinzione che l’epilessia non predisponga a disturbi mentali o comportamentali. Le competenze pratiche sono aumentate, con gestione più corretta delle crisi e maggiore fiducia nella somministrazione di farmaci di emergenza come Micropam e Buccolam. L’intervento ha anche promosso un approccio più adeguato all’attività ludico-sportiva e la consapevolezza della necessità di procedure interne standardizzate. ANALISI: L’analisi dei dati è stata condotta attraverso una primaria fase descrittiva, in cui le variabili sono state analizzate in base alla natura delle variabili analizzate, qualitative e ordinali, sintetizzate mediante frequenze assolute (n.) e percentuali (%), sulla base del Software di Microsoft Excel® ed una secondariamente dalla fase inferenziale. Quest’ultima confronta le risposte dei partecipanti PRE e POST l’intervento formativo, al fine di valutare l’efficacia del programma tramite il test t per campioni accoppiati, ponendo come livello di significatività statistica è stato fissato a p < 0.05. Il software statistico utilizzato è R studio versione 4.5.1. DISCUSSIONI: L’epilessia infantile richiede competenze specifiche e una gestione attenta in ambito scolastico. L’intervento formativo ha dimostrato di colmare lacune conoscitive e operative, migliorando fiducia, sicurezza e capacità di risposta del personale educativo. I risultati sottolineano il ruolo chiave dell’infermiere scolastico come formatore e coordinatore della sicurezza sanitaria. Futuri studi dovrebbero valutare programmi formativi più estesi e ripetuti nel tempo, per garantire una gestione uniforme dell’epilessia nelle scuole italiane. KEYWORDS: “Childhood epilepsy”, “Seizure management”, “Schoolnurse”, “Educational program”, “School”.
L'infermiere scolastico come prospettiva futura nel management dell'epilessia infantile: uno studio pilota nel setting educativo
MATARAZZO, CHIARA
2024/2025
Abstract
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Childhood epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorders in children, with significant health, social and educational consequences (Renzetti et al., 2020). In schools, managing seizures is often complex due to a lack of knowledge about the condition, widespread prejudice and the absence of clear and uniform procedures (Renzetti et al., 2020). In this context, school nurses can play a central role in promoting health and disseminating accurate information, supporting school staff and ensuring a safe and informed approach (Davis and Lynch, 2018). The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and skills of school staff in managing childhood epilepsy and the effectiveness of a targeted training intervention. It also explores the future role of the school nurse as a reference figure for health safety in schools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicentre, evidence-based, cross-sectional pilot study was conducted between 23 April and 18 September 2025 in three schools in the provinces of Ascoli Piceno and Teramo. A total of 96 participants, including teachers, school staff and supervisors, were enrolled through convenience sampling. Two structured questionnaires were administered, before and after the training event, to assess changes in the general knowledge, attitudes and practical management of epileptic seizures by school staff. RESULTS: The training significantly improved the knowledge, perception and skills of school staff. After the training, participants showed greater awareness of the number of people with epilepsy in Italy, a more accurate understanding of the causes and onset of the condition, and an increased belief that epilepsy does not predispose people to mental or behavioural disorders. Practical skills increased, with more correct management of seizures and greater confidence in the administration of emergency medications such as Micropam and Buccolam. The intervention also promoted a more appropriate approach to recreational and sporting activities and awareness of the need for standardised internal procedures. ANALYSIS: Data analysis was conducted through a primary descriptive phase, in which the variables were analysed according to their nature, qualitative and ordinal, summarised by absolute frequencies (n.) and percentages (%), using Microsoft Excel® software, and secondarily by an inferential phase. The latter compares the responses of participants PRE and POST the training intervention in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme using the t-test for paired samples, setting the level of statistical significance at p < 0.05. The statistical software used was R studio version 4.5.1. DISCUSSIONS: Childhood epilepsy requires specific skills and careful management in the school environment. The training intervention has been shown to fill knowledge and operational gaps, improving the confidence, safety and responsiveness of educational staff. The results highlight the key role of the school nurse as a trainer and coordinator of health safety. Future studies should evaluate more extensive and repeated training programmes over time to ensure uniform management of epilepsy in Italian schools. KEYWORDS: “Childhood epilepsy”, “Seizure management”, “School nurse”, “Educational programme”, “School”.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12075/24203