EC Clinical and Medical Case Reports

Background: Epilepsy affects approximately 50 million individuals globally and continues to be one of the most stigmatised neurological conditions. In Saudi Arabia, widespread myths - including beliefs that epilepsy is contagious or caused by spiritual possession - continue to drive social discrimination and unsafe first-aid responses. Student-led public health initiatives represent an underutilised yet highly effective mechanism for addressing such gaps.

Methods: Medical student volunteers, in collaboration with the Saudi Society of Epilepsy and King Fahad Specialist Hospital in Dammam, designed and implemented a community-centred epilepsy awareness campaign. Educational booths were established in large shopping malls to maximise demographic reach. Interventions included face-to-face dialogue, live seizure first-aid demonstrations, and culturally adapted educational materials. The initiative was entirely self-funded and student-coordinated.

Results: The campaign successfully engaged diverse community members across age groups, including families, adolescents, and elderly individuals. Post-engagement feedback demonstrated significantly improved confidence in seizure first-aid response, real-time correction of deeply held misconceptions, and more inclusive attitudes towards individuals living with epilepsy. Participating students reported substantial gains in communication, advocacy, and cultural competency skills.

Conclusion: This initiative demonstrates that low-cost, student-led community health education can achieve meaningful public health impact. The model is scalable, sustainable, and adaptable to other stigmatised health conditions. Integration of such initiatives into medical curricula is recommended to foster socially conscious healthcare professionals.

Keywords: Epilepsy; Public Health Education; Stigma; Saudi Arabia; Medical Students; Community Engagement; Seizure First Aid

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