Experiences of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy across the trajectory of diagnoses in Ghana

• DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v8i0.577
• Publication Date: 2019-09-23T23:55:45Z
• Authors: Joana D.A. Kyerem...; Anthony Edusei; Joslin A. Dogbe; Maxwell P. Opoku; William Nketsia; Charles Hammond; Sally A. Afriyie
• Keywords: caregivers; HD7255-7256; Family medicine; Impact of Parenting Stress on Caregivers and Families; Developmental psychology; caregiving; Caregiver Well-Being; Clinical psychology; Social Sciences; cerebral palsied children; Communities. Classes. Races; Ghana; Pediatrics; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; children; Sociology; Qualitative research; XXXXXX - Unknown; Health Sciences; Classification and Interventions for Cerebral Palsy; Pathology; Psychology; 10. No inequality; Original Research; 360; Psychiatry; cerebral palsy; Cerebral Palsy; Medical diagnosis; parents; Vocational rehabilitation. Employment of people with disabilities; Social science; Thematic analysis; culture; FOS: Sociology; 3. Good health; FOS: Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Psychiatry and Mental health; HT51-1595; Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health; Medicine; Cerebral palsy; Referral; Mortality and Sequelae of Preterm Birth

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive disorder of posture or movement caused by lesion to the developing brain that results in functional limitations. The diagnosis CP can vary from one child another, causing family stress because vague and unknown outcomes disorder. Although there are negative attitudes Ghanaian societies towards primary caregivers children with disabilities, fewer attempts have been made understand their experiences.Objectives: main aim this study was explore experiences across trajectory (before, during after) setting tertiary hospital.Method: Using Social Capital Theory as framework, 40 CP, who were receiving treatment at major referral hospital Ghana, interviewed about before, after diagnosis.Results: emerged thematic analysis discussed follows: before diagnosis, diagnosis. Particularly, participants inability access essential services such education for CP.Conclusion: In light systemic challenges faced need health policymakers prioritise public promoting well-being other implications discussed.