Psychosocial problems among mothers of children with cerebral palsy attending physiotherapy outpatient department of two selected tertiary health centres in Ogun state: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: Caring for a child with cerebral palsy (CP) can be exhausting and stressful. There is paucity of information on the consequence of having a child with CP on mothers of these children. This study explored psychosocial problems encountered by mothers of children with CP receiving physiotherapy care in two selected tertiary health centres in Ogun State, Nigeria. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted through focus group discussion (FGD) utilizing 17 questions identified in the literature as a FGD guide. Participants were seven mothers of children with CP. The framework approach was used for thematic analysis of data. Results: The psychosocial challenges encountered by the mothers were associated with nine common sub-themes. These are: (i) stress of caring for over dependent child; (ii) mothers’ restricted participation in the society; (iii) financial constraint experienced by the mothers of children with CP; (iv) health problems experienced by mothers of children with CP; (v) feelings of uncertainty about the child’s future; (vi) society’s negative perception of child’s problems; (vii) support obtained by the caregivers from others; (viii) availability of support from healthcare facilities; and (ix) Personal belief about condition. Conclusion: Mothers of children with cerebral palsy experience substantial psychological and social problems that are often ignored by the general populace.