Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: April-June | Volume: 8 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 321-328
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20230241
Factors Influencing Quality of Life of Children with Cerebral Palsy - A Qualitative Study
Dr. Stella Jose1, Dr. Premaletha T2, Dr. Aswathy K. L.3
1Assistant Professor Govt. College of Nursing, Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
2Professor Govt. College of Nursing, Medical College Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
3Assistant Professor, Govt. College of Nursing, Kollam, Kerala
Corresponding Author: Dr. Stella Jose
ABSTRACT
Background: Cerebral Palsy (CP) is one among the most common childhood disabilities with varying clinical outcomes and can have profound effects on the daily life of children and their families. There are many possible factors that affect the health related quality of life (HRQOL) in childhood CP.
Aim: To explore the factors influencing the health related quality of life of children with cerebral palsy
Materials and methods: A explorative design was used for the study. Four focus group discussions and twenty in depth interviews were conducted with mothers of children with cerebral palsy and experts related to the care of children. Study subjects were selected based on criterion sampling from the CP Clinic and Neurology OPD of a tertiary care center, and special schools in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala. Qualitative thematic analysis was used for interpreting the data.
Results: Four major themes emerged (1) the disabled child, (2) competence of caregiver, (3) support system and (4) expert management. Barriers and promoting factors of health-related quality of life of children with cerebral palsy were also described in the study.
Conclusion: The study emphasizes importance of social, emotional, economic and therapeutic support system to be provided to the children with CP as well as their caregivers in maintaining good health related quality of life.
Keywords: Quality of life, cerebral palsy, factors.