Determinants of Health-related Quality of Life of Mothers having Children with Cerebral Palsy in Brahmanbaria PSOSK, Bangladesh

Abstract

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) need more attention and care, especially from their mothers. This can affect the mothers’ quality of life (QOL) adversely. This study sought to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of mothers of children with CP and their determine, especially those receiving treatment for their children at Brahmanbaria, PSOSK in Bangladesh. Using a convenient sampling method, 70 mothers with children aged 2-12 years with CP from the Brahmanbaria PSOSK were selected and enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Mothers’ mean age ± standard deviation was 29.79 ± 4.02 years. The maximum child had spastic type of CP (68%). It is found that family income, type of family, living with husband, number of children and children age had significant influence (p<.05) on the HRQOL of mothers for certain domains. In addition, caring for a child with CP had significantly influenced on the HRQOL of the mothers, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Measures to improve quality of life and health of mothers of children with cerebral palsy should be incorporated in the management of CP with emphasis on identified areas of need.

Keywords: Health, Quality of Life, Cerebral Palsy, Determinants