Public’s Knowledge of Neurology in Headache and Vertigo: A Cross-section from Malatya

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study,we aim to investigate the perception of neurology’s scope as a branch of medicine using the examples of headaches and vertigo disorders while establishing a relationship with the sociodemographic characteristics of the paticipants in our region.

METHODS: 303 patients and patient relatives in Malatya who consulted to family physicians and emergency departments were included in this study. After the giving an informed consent, they were given a questionnare that was administered either in the written form or orally, based on their literacy status. We operationally defined neurolgy awareness as the relationship between complaints of headache and vertigo and their perceived relevance to neurolgy.

RESULTS: In our study, 40%(n=121) of the participants reported that they would go to a neurology outpatient clinic if they have a headache and 44,9%(n=136) of the participants reported the same for vertigo complaints. On the other hand, 60%(n=182) of the participants reported that they would go to departments other than neurology if have headache and 55,1%(n=167) if they have vertigo complaints. The rate of patients who actually consulted in a neurology outpatient clinic with a headache complaint was 28.8% (n=45) whereas the rate for those who consulted in departments other than neurology was 71.2% (n=111). The rate of patients who actually consulted in a neurology outpatient clinic with a vertigo complaint was 39.6% (n=36) whereas the rate for those who consulted in departments other than neurology while having vertigo complaints was 60.4% (n=55). The public’s knowledge of neurolgy and both headache and vertigo were more extensive in with higher educational level, urban upbringing, urban residential status and women in general. There was no significant statistical relationship between age and income level with public’s knowledge of Neurology.

CONCLUSION: In this study, more than one third of the participants associated complaints about headache and diziness with apply to neurology outpatient clinic. In this context, when awareness of neurology increased with female gender, level of education, growth in the city and lived in the city, was not associated with age and level of income. We think that increasing the awareness of the medical profession in our country, will reduce losses in the time, workforce and economic.