Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of Parkinson’s Disease(PD) among general population and educate them with the clinical features of this disease for early referral to the Hospital.

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders are the common cause of economic burden worldwide, PD being one of them(1). Due to improved life expectancy and increased in the population of elderly people, it is likely that prevalence of patients of PD is increasing (2). But still patients of PD are not early identified by family members and present late to hospital.

Method: Non-PD patient’s caretakers, who were non-health workers and presented to Neurology outpatient department of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu Nepal from 2018 September to 2018 November, are interviewed with 15 term questionnaire that consisted of caretaker’s information and their knowledge of PD.

Results: Total of 60 non-PD patient caretakers were interviewed, mean age 36.2±6.5 years, Male: 38 and Female: 22. Only 6 (10%) caretakers had heard about PD via internet and television, but none of them had seen any patients. They could only explain clinical features like tremor by 4 caretakers, walking difficulty by 3 caretakers and both tremor and walking difficulty by 2 caretakers. Among rest 54 caretakers, when asked what disease they would think if any patient who has tremor, slow activity and rigid body, 28 (51%) of them replied as alchohal withdrawal syndrome, stroke by 8 (15%), Hypertension by 6 (11.5%), Thyroid disorders by 5( 9.5%). Genetic by 4 (7.5%) and Diabetes by 3(5.5%) caretakers.

Conclusion: Knowledge regarding PD is very poor among Nepalese population. This is an important reason that PD patient usually come after 1-2 years of onset of motor symptoms. Government should focus on health awareness jingles in television and radio, banners and pamphlets in specific parts of cities and educational programs targeting different subgroups like schools, banks employees, factory workers, etc.

References: 1. Zhao YJ, Tan LCS, Li SC, Au WL, Seah SH, Lau PN, et al. Economic burden of Parkinson’s disease in Singapore. Eur J Neurol. 2011;18(3):519–26. 2. Yang JX, Chen L. Economic Burden Analysis of Parkinson’s Disease Patients in China. Parkinsons Dis. 2017;2017.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/public-awareness-and-education-of-parkinsons-disease-among-nepalese-population/