Effect of Empowerment program for caregivers on Quality life of children with Cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a multi-disorder which disturbs ability of child to move, sustain posture and balance. Quality of life is increasingly recognized as a major factor in determining a child's health and well-being. There are many ways to enhance the quality of life for children with (CP), such as empowering the caregivers. Aim: to evaluate the effect of empowerment program for caregivers on quality life of children with cerebral palsy. Design: A quasi-experimental research design (one group pre/posttest) was conducted at neurology out-patient clinic of Children Hospital at Ain shams University Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample consisted of 75 children and their caregivers at the previously mentioned setting. Tools: Four tools were used as children and their caregivers' demographic characteristics, activity of daily living, child quality of life inventory and family empowerment scale. Results: revealed that 74.7% of the studied children were partially dependent at total activities, while 50.7% of them were independent at post program, detected through p value <0.01. Also, revealed that there was slight significant difference related to physical, emotional and social function at pre and post program at p value <0.05. But, there was no significant difference between mean score at pre and post program related school function at p value >0.05. Conclusion: There was high significant difference between mean scores at pre and post empowerment program for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy at p value <0.01. Empowerment program for caregivers had positive effect on quality life of their children. Recommendation: Preparing continuous empowerment program for caregivers of children suffered from cerebral palsy.