Impact of caring for children with cerebral palsy on the general health of their caregivers in an African community

Abstract

Caring for children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy can have an impact on the health of their caregivers. Records show a dearth of literature on the health impact of caring for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Africa. This study compared the general health of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CGCP) with that of caregivers of age-matched children without cerebral palsy (CGNCP). The relationship between severities of motor disorder in children with CP and the general health of their caregivers was also investigated. Participants comprised 71 CGCP and 70 CGNCP in the Yoruba community of South-Western Nigeria. The General Health Questionnaire was administered to all participants and the severity of motor disorder was assessed in children with cerebral palsy using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66. Results showed significantly higher General Health Questionnaire scores in the caregivers of children with cerebral palsy than in the caregivers of age-matched children without cerebral palsy group (U=1237.5, P=0.00). No significant correlation was found between the Gross Motor Function Measure and General Health Questionnaire scores of the caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (rho=-0.104). Caring for children with cerebral palsy apparently had a negative impact on the health of their caregivers when compared with the health of caregivers of children without cerebral palsy. It seemed that severity of motor disorder in cerebral palsy had no direct bearing on the health status of caregivers.