ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Abstract

BACKGROUND
\nRaising a child with chronic disability is stressful and demanding task which can affect the quality of life of the parent/caregiver
\nadversely.
\nThe aim of this study was to assess the quality of life of parents of children aged between 2-12 years with cerebral palsy.
\nMATERIALS AND METHODS
\nThis was a cross sectional descriptive questionnaire based study, which included 30 parents of children with cerebral palsy
\nbetween 2-12 years of age attending Paediatric OPD or Rehabilitation services. Interviews were conducted using a semistructured
\nquestionnaire and quality of life was assessed using World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOLBREF-)
\nQuestionnaire-short version. Statistical analysis was done with descriptive statistics using SPSS version 10.
\nRESULTS
\nThe mean score of the social domain of quality of life of caregivers was the lowest (9.33±1.49 SD) followed by psychological
\n(18.23±1.50 SD). Seventy percent of parents reported their overall quality of life as neither good nor poor and 66.67% of
\nparents were satisfied with their own health.
\nCONCLUSION
\nQuality of life of parents of children with CP was affected in all domains, with predominant affection of social domain. More
\nthan half of parents were satisfied with their own general health and they reported overall quality of life was neither good nor
\npoor.
\n