Environmental barriers: as reported by parents of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Background: Cerebral palsy caused by damage and defects in the growing brain that lead to aberrant nervous system formation, which leads in persistent abnormalities in the strength, control, or both of the limbs. The study was conducted to identify the environmental barriers as reported by parents of children with cerebral palsy. Specific objectives: To find out the demographic status of the participants. To evaluate the environmental barriers. To evaluate which item of the environmental barriers has most and least impact on participants. To detect association between demographic status and environmental barriers. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted by using convenience sampling procedure. The study population was parents of children with cerebral palsy who are receiving treatment from CRP. Total 100 participants were selected conveniently for the study within 1 to 12 child’s age range. Data was collected by using CHIEF-SF questionnaire. Data was analyzed through SPSS 20 version. Result: In this research mean age of children was 5.39. This study found 54% boy and 46% girl which is child’s sex. Environmental barriers were detected by CRAIGH HOSPITAL INVENTORY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR scale. From this dimension the mean score of environmental barriers was 30.21± (24.175). eighty two percent participants had the barrier for the discrimination. Conclusion: Our results showed that these barriers were most encountered in the discrimination and help home. Government policies were the least of the barriers, based on frequency. The policies subscale has the lowest barrier since most participants don't know how to obtain facilities for children with cerebral palsy from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The biggest troublesome barrier was the ability to receive support from home and facing discrimination and the least problematic barrier was government policies, in order of the size of the problematic things. Environmental barriers were related to participant's education, occupation, monthly income, and residential area. Age and gender of the kid, however, were not connected to environmental constraints. Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Environmental barrier Abstract