KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE GAP OF CAREGIVERS IN HANDLING CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY (CP) IN FLORENTINO CAMAQUIN INTEGRATED SCHOOL (FCIS)

Abstract

Introduction: Ranging from 1 to nearly 4 per 1,000 children, cerebral palsy is a common cause of disability. It describes a group of permanent developmental disorders of movement and posture, causing limitations in doing activities. This requires caregivers to take on numerous responsibilities that are safe and unique to those with CP. The study determined and correlated the caregiver’s knowledge and practices in handling children with CP in FCIS. Methods: The study utilized a descriptive correlational design, and total enumeration as the sampling design, wherein 31 respondents completed a survey questionnaire, and ten of them were chosen through a fish-bowl method to participate in focus group discussion for more in-depth data collection. Results: The study reveals that majority of caregivers are women between age range of 21-66 years old and have attained high level of education. A greater portion of have experienced caring for children with CP between the ages of six to 23 years old and have a spastic type. The study shows that most caregivers possess a high level of knowledge and practices in terms of caring for children with CP. This increased awareness helps caregivers in providing proper assistance in transferring and lifting, activities of daily living and school related activities associated with the care and well-being of children with CP. Discussion: The study revealed that there is no gap as a significant relationship was determined between the caregivers’ knowledge and practices in handling children with CP in FCIS. It is imperative that caregivers’ level of knowledge and level of expertise with their handling practices should continue to increase in all aspects to provide quality care that may improve the condition of their child with CP.