Relationship between caregiver related factors and their proxy report of quality of life of children with cerebral palsy in Kano City, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Caregivers have intimate knowledge of their children and can provide reliable information on their quality of life (QoL). Objective: This study assessed the factors that could influence caregiver report of QoL of children with Cerebral Palsy.Methods: The cross-sectional survey recruited 30 caregivers and children diagnosed with CP using purposive sampling technique. QoL was assessed with CP-QoL questionnaire, depression with Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and functional level with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Socio-demographic data and perceived stress were assessed with a pro-forma. The data were summarised with descriptive statistics and analysed with Spearman Rank Order correlation at alpha level of 0.05. Results: The mean age of caregivers and that of children with CP were 34.40 ± 7.02 years and 7.23 ± 2.08 years respectively. The mean QoL score was 60.06±4.27. The ‘social well-being and acceptance’ (75.07 ± 9.52) and ‘Access to services’ (66.65±7.87) domains have the highest mean scores. Marital status has significant relationship with proxy report of children’s overall QoL (Rho=0.40; P<0.05) and caregiver depression (Rho=-0.414; P<0.05). Conclusion: Children with CP in Kano City have moderate QoL. Proxy report of overall QoL was significantly related to marital status with married caregivers’ more likely to report better QoL. Child’s functional status, caregivers’ age and their level of income have also influenced the proxy report of some QoL domains. Researchers should always endeavor to compare parents’ and children’s reports in order to obtain a more accurate measure of children’s QoL.