Psychosocial Problems among Parents Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Ile-Ife, South-West, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: It has been established that the challenges faced by children with cerebral palsy bring about a higher level of stress which has negative effect on their physical health as well as their social well-being. The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial problems encountered by the parents caring for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in an urban setting. Methods: Qualitative research design using focus group discussion (FGD) was used for the study. The setting was a focus group discussion (FGD) at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, SouthWest , Nigeria. A total of ten parents participated in the focus group discussion. The parents caring for the children with cerebral palsy coming for treatment in the physiotherapy outpatient clinic of the department were contacted and the nature of the study was explained to them. The main outcome measured were the psychosocial problems encountered by the parents caring for children with cerebral palsy. Results: The outcome of the study revealed that problems like finance, health-related problems, impaired social relationships, worries concerning child's future and requirement for more support were encountered by the parents of these children. Most of the parents had visited different traditional, spiritual homes as well as health care facilities for solution to their children's problems. Conclusions. Parents caring for children with cerebral palsy encountered varieties of psychosocial problems. Family centered care program can be designed for cerebral palsy children and their parents based on information that may be obtained from research studies of this nature.