Home Care Offered by Family Caregivers to Preschool Children, Suffering From Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess family caregivers' knowledge & practice regarding home care (activities of daily living) offered to preschool children suffering from hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 50 family caregivers and their preschool children aged from three to less than six years, who are suffering from hemiplegic cerebral palsy. The study participants were recruited from rehabilitation centers, and rheumatic unit in Minia Governorate, Egypt. Family caregiver’s were interviewed face-to-face after agreeing to participate in the study. Data was collected by using two tools; a structural questionnaire and observational check list. Results reveled that more than two third (78 %) of family caregivers had an unaccepted level of knowledge regarding hemiplegic cerebral palsy and activities of daily living for their children. The majority (86 %) had unaccepted level of practice toward activities of daily living for their children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. There was a highly significant correlation between family caregivers' knowledge and practice (r =.567 at p = 0.000). Conclusion: the study reported a clear lack of knowledge about HCP & unaccepted level care from family’s caregivers to their children who suffer from HCP. In addition to the practice of family caregiver’s were poor in the most aspects of care to their children.

Keywords: Family caregiver’s knowledge, practice, home care, hemiplegic cerebral palsy.