Perceived stress among caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to ascertain the degree of felt stress among parents of cerebral palsy patients at HIT and POF Hospitals. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, HIT & POF Hospitals. Period: February 2022 to May 2022. Material & Methods: The study was approved by IRB of HITEC-IMS under approval number HITEC-IRB-22-2021. Using the purposive sampling method, the study included CP children aged 3 to 10 and caregivers who had experienced stress for three consecutive months. The total score was determined using Sheldon Cohen's perceived stress scale. Scores between 0 and 13 were classified as low perceived stress, 14 to 26 as moderate, and 27 to 40 as high felt stress. Results: Children with the spastic form of CP made up 50% of the population, while those with the dyskinetic ataxic and mix types made up 16%, 8%, and 5% of the total. 66 percent of the children were under 5, 22 percent were between the ages of 6 and 10, and just 12 percent were under 3. With level 4 on the second, the GMFCS level of 3 was the most prevalent. The parents’ average age was 31±7.2. Respondents' average stress score was 18.03±8.8. Conclusion: Parents of CP children experience moderate to high levels of stress that are significantly influenced by the employment status of moms and family income. Parents must be stress-free in order to raise children with poor health.