Health related quality of life of children with cerebral palsy among 3-12 years old.

Abstract

Introduction: HRQoL is a part of QoL. It is the patients’ own evaluation of functioning in the physical, psychological and social domains (Hamming and Veries, 2007). Compared with QoL, HRQoL is measured using fewer domains. Hence, evaluation of HRQoL is not as extensive as the assessment of QoL. Objective: To determine the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy.Study Design/Methods: This study was conducted using cross sectional prospective survey under a quantitative study design. Cross sectional study design was chosen to meet the study aim as an effective way to collect data. 100 cerebral palsy children were taken as the sample of this study. Results/ Major findings:According to analysis the mean score of mobility is 2.37. That means mean score of 2.37 children affected in mobility. Mobility includes opening door, picking an object, carrying a drink, number of rooms, children entered unassisted, getting in and out of car, longer outing excluding school. For those activities maximum children have need maximum to minimum assistance. The minimum to maximum range is (1-3.44). The mean score of schooling is 2.15. That means 2.15 children affected in schooling. Schooling includes type of school, time of attendance, distance between home and school. For those activities children have need maximum to minimum assistance. The minimum to maximum range is (0.33-3.67). Analysis shows that the mean score of physical independence is 1.84. That means 1.84 children affected in physical independence. It includes cleaning hand, eating bowl of food, buttoning, putting shirt, toileting, climbing stair, need help at night, and need lift. For those activities children have need minimum to moderate support. Minimum to maximum range is (0.50-3.75). The mean score of social integration 1.78 means 1.78 children are affected in social integration. It includes friends meet, helpful family, supportive and understanding neighbor, family restriction, organizing holiday. For those activities child need minimum to moderate assistance. Minimum to maximum rage is (.75-3.13). Mean score of economic burden 1.46 means 1.46 children are affected in economic burden. It includes special food, money spent in home modification, help from organization, and job change for children. For these activities children need minimum to moderate help. The mean score 1.34 of clinical burden means 1.34 children affected in clinical burden. It includes number of consulting doctor, number of taking medicine, duration of staying hospital, number of occurring operation, need of special equipment or plasters. For those activities children need minimum to moderate help. Conclusion and Recommendations: To conclude, HRQOL is significantly affected in majority of children with cerebral palsy. Measurement of HRQOL should be used with other forms of assessment, to indicate areas in which a person is most affected and help the practitioner in making appropriate decisions for patient care. In future larger sample size is recommended to assess the Quality of life of cerebral palsy children.