Research Article: Family Needs Assessment of Patients with Cerebral Palsy Attending Two Hospitals in Accra, Ghana
Abstract:
Background: The family represents the most essential and supportive environment for children with cerebral palsy (CP). To improve children’s outcomes, it is crucial to consider the needs of families in order to offer family-centered care, which tailors services to these needs. Objective: We conducted a needs assessment to identify the family needs of patients with CP attending two hospitals in Accra. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study involving primary caregivers of children with CP attending neurodevelopmental clinics. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data spanning an 8-month period. The data were summarized, and statistical inference was made. Results: Service needs identified were childcare, counseling, support groups, financial assistance, and recreational facilities. Information needs included adult education, job training/employment opportunities, education, health and social programs, knowledge about child development, and management of behavioral and feeding/nutrition problems. Reducing extensive travel time was desirable to improve access to healthcare. With the increasing severity of symptoms came the need for improved accessibility in the home to reduce the child’s hardship, as well as assistive devices, recreational facilities, and respite for the caregiver(s). Conclusion: Families of children with CP have information, service, and access needs related to their disease severity and family context.
Introduction:
Cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder of movement and posture development caused by non-progressive injury to the developing fetal/infant brain [1,2]. It is a major cause of chronic childhood disability worldwide and manifests in different ways which include delayed motor development, musculoskeletal problems, and comorbidities such as epilepsy, visual impairment, deafness, and speech impairment [3,4,5]. While studies have identified birth asphyxia, neonatal infections, kernicterus, and prematurity/low birth…
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