Protocol for the Development of a Nutrition and Mealtime Management Questionnaire for Caregivers of Children Ages 4–12 years With Cerebral Palsy in India

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To develop a Nutrition and Mealtime Management Questionnaire for caregivers of children ages 4–12 years with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in India. Methods The proposed bespoke Nutrition and Mealtime Management Questionnaire for caregivers of children ages 4–12 years with CP in India will be developed using a sequenced approach. A first step would be to use findings from an ongoing scoping review to develop the questionnaire. The focus of the scoping review is to identify key concepts regarding nutrition- and mealtime-related practices used for children with CP and factors that influence mealtime related decisions. Next, the questionnaire is envisioned to broadly comprise three sections: demographic characteristics of caregivers; their nutrition- and mealtime-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and physical, sociocultural, and environmental factors that influences mealtime. The questionnaire will be developed in English and then it will be translated to Bengali, the locally spoken language before fielding in the city of Kolkata. Kolkata is the capital city of the state of West Bengal in eastern India. The questionnaire will be pre-tested using cognitive interviews among a convenience sample of five caregivers of children ages 4–12 years with CP. The questionnaire will be modified based on the results of pre-testing if required. The revised questionnaire will be pre-tested again among a convenience sample of another five caregivers. Results N/A as this is a study protocol abstract as denoted in the abstract title. Conclusions The Nutrition and Mealtime Management Questionnaire would be the first tailored dietary questionnaire to assess nutrition- and mealtime-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and physical, sociocultural, and environmental factors that influences mealtime practices of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in India. Funding Sources Lewis Foundation Grant, Georgia State University.