Health-Related Quality of Life of Nigerian Children with Cerebral Palsy
Abstract
Purpose: To assess the impact of cerebral palsy on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Nigerian children.
Method: This is a cross-sectional survey. The study involved 54 children (33 males and 21 females), between 1 and 12 years of age, with cerebral palsy. They were consecutively recruited from two tertiary health institutions in Lagos, Nigeria.
The socio-demographic details of the participants were obtained through interviews. Their HRQoL was assessed using the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form-28 (CHQ-PF 28). The questionnaire was completed by their parents, guardians or primary care-givers. Severity of motor disability was assessed and classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Data were summarised using descriptive statistics. Chi-square was used to find the association between each of the selected socio-demographic variables and motor disability, and HRQoL.
Results: Thirty-eight children (70.3%) were between 1 and 6 years of age, and 16 (29.7%) were between 7 and 12 years. The participants’ overall scores and scores on each domain of CHQ-PF 28 were very low. Majority (69.5%) were in GMFCS classification-level 1, 7 (13.0%) were in level 2, 12 (22.2%) were in level 3, 14 (25.9%) were in level 4, and 16 (29.6%) were in level 5. Age had significant effect (CI = 95%) on HRQoL of children with cerebral palsy. Severity of disability had negative impact (CI = 95%) on HRQoL of children with cerebral palsy.
Conclusions: The health-related quality of life of Nigerian children with cerebral palsy is low, and is negatively affected by age and severity of disability.
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