Assessment of emotional distress and parenting stress among parents of children with clubfoot in south-western Nigeria

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Clubfoot, the commonest orthopaedic congenital deformity in the tropics, is usually recognised from birth and affects one or both feet. The discovery of the child's deformity may diminish the joy of childbirth with attendant emotional reactions. Hence, this study assessed the levels of emotional distress and parenting stress among parents of children with clubfoot in Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 58 parents of children with clubfoot attending the clubfoot clinic of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. They completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Parenting Stress Index Short Form. RESULTS: The prevalence of emotional distress and parenting stress were 15.5% and 12.0% respectively. The mean score of parenting stress and its subscales were 67.44 (SD=18.07); parental distress 26.71 (SD=8.82); parents-child dysfunctional interaction 19.13 (SD=5.91) and difficult child 21.60 (SD=7.19). The patient age group was significantly associated with emotional distress level (x²=13.566, p=0.004). Pearson's correlation showed significant positive correlation between parental stress and the patient's age (r=0.277, p<0.05) and HADS depression score (r= 0.290, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has provided relevant information on the experiences of Nigerian parents caring for children with clubfoot. Health care professionals involved with the care of children with clubfoot should also pay attention to the emotional wellbeing of the parents. PU - Champagne Media (Pty) Ltd