Participation profile and environmental context of brazilian children with cerebral palsy: associations with functioning and environmental factors

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore community participation and environmental profiles of young Brazilian children with CP and analyze the association between participation domains, environmental factors, and the child's GMFCS level. METHODS: Cross-sectional study derived from the "PartiCipa Brasil" project, involving 109 Brazilian children with CP, with a mean age of 44.8 months (SD=12.0). The sociodemographic questionnaire characterized the sample, the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) - Family Report classified the functionality, and the Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure (YC-PEM) assessed participation and environmental factors in the community. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation to investigate relationships between the domains of participation, environmental factors, and the GMFCS, adopting p<0.05 as significance. RESULTS: Male predominance, spastic CP, and GMFCS level V, with children from low-income families. Children participated in the community "few times in the last month" and were involved at a "between 3 and 5" level, with an emphasis on activities related to routine appointments. There was a higher level of support compared to the barriers faced, and 49.8% of caregivers expressed a desire to change their participation. The child's environmental factors and their GMFCS level correlated with their participation. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study using data from PartiCipa Brasil that describes how young children with CP from different regions of Brazil participate in the community. Understanding participation and environmental factors can support the creation of interventions to improve opportunities for this public to participate in society.