Factors associated with caregiver burden among caregivers of cerebral palsy children.

Abstract

Cerebral palsy(CP) is the term for a group of brain disorders, caused by damage to parts of the developing brain that control muscle movement, balance, and posture before birth, during birth, or immediately after birth. Caregivers of children with CP often experience high levels of caregiving burden. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore correlation of factors with the presence of burden on primary caregivers of CP children. Study Design: Cross-Sectional study. Setting: Department of Physiotherapy, Children Hospital, Lahore. Period: March 2017 to June 2017. Material & Methods: Was conducted among caregivers of CP children to measure caregiver burden. The study sample consisted of a total of 100 caregivers was selected using non probability convenient sampling technique. Primary caregivers of a CP child (aged less than 18 years) were included. Caregiver Difficulties Scale (CDS) as used to measure caregiver burden. The data was analyzed and interpreted to measure the caregiver burden. Results: The mean age of caregivers participated in the study was 34.15± 6.76 years while mean age of their CP children was 6.35±4.52 years. Geographical area, socioeconomic status, caregiver’s age, total number of children and CP child’s age and gender showing correlation with caregiver burden by having significant p- value < 0.05. Conclusion: Geographical area, socioeconomic status, caregiver’s age, total number of children and CP child’s age and gender have significant association with caregiver burden while types of cerebral palsy and degree of disability has no correlation with caregiver burden.