A Qualitative Study of the Burden Placed on Caregivers of Children Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy during the COVID-19 Era - Abstract
Objectives: Caregivers of children with cerebral palsy suffer from a substantial burden. However, there is a need for more documentation of the various sources of burden during COVID -19 in low- and middle-income settings. Hence, we aimed to report the caregiver Burden during the COVID-19 era in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Methods: A total of 10 respondents, ages ranged from 30-40 years, mothers of children with CP participated in qualitative and one-to-one interactive direct interview methods using e-communication access like WhatsApp and zoom call meetings and even over the mobile communication through semi-structured interviews with questions based on individual, interpersonal, family and social. The interview has conducted all sessions were recorded and stored for further qualitative analysis.
Results: Overall, interviews were conducted with ten respondents with detailed explanations for each question. All the mothers expressed their difficulties and coping strategies for being parents of cerebral palsy. The classification focused their research and analysis on the socio-ecological framework. All the mothers discussed the challenges they faced and the coping mechanisms they used to raise children with cerebral palsy.
We examined the model for several variables that heightened the tensions during the COVID-19 lockdown.
In a socio-ecological framework, we have shown the outcomes. The socio-ecological framework served as the foundation for coding and analysis. We analyzed the model of various factors that increased the stresses during the COVID-19 lockdown. We have depicted the results in a socio-ecological framework.
Conclusion: Caregivers have increased stress levels during the lockdown period than on regular days. This may be due to managing all household activities and family needs, providing child care, and protecting children from society.