Education on Nutrition and Seizure Control in Children with Cerebral Palsy for “Mitra Ananda” Community Organization in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Persons with Cerebral Palsy (CP) have disabilities due to disorders of the musculoskeletal system that were often accompanied by various other symptoms with different degrees of severity, such as seizures, intellectual disabilities, bone deformities, learning disorders, etc. Those people have a higher risk of malnutrition and seizures, especially children with CP. Mitra Ananda, an organization of parents of persons with CP that aimed to empower families of persons with CP Gunungkidul Regency. Understanding of a problem, knowledge of the solution and confidence to implement the solution are the keys to create an empowered community that will later become a driving force to empower others in health issues. Education on nutrition and seizure control was delivered through presentations and discussions to the members of Mitra Ananda Organization. Program evaluation was carried out quantitatively and qualitatively. A questionnaire for the quantitative method was developed to assess caregivers' knowledge on nutrition. The assessment results presented increased knowledge of the beneficiaries. Focus group discussions and interviews showed changes in attitudes and behavior on nutrition and seizure control. Mitra Ananda members who were also caregivers of children with CP shared the newly acquired knowledge to other members. In addition to the multiplication effect, it also creates a community that becomes a driving force to empower others.