Predictors of caregiver burden among parents of children with neurological impairement

Abstract

Introduction Many neurological, sensory and behavioural deficits, are linked with significant limitations in the overall functioning not only of the child but also his/her closest family, and poses a great challenge for the primary parental caregivers. Objectives To assess the caregiver burden in parents of children with neurological impairement (NI), and itsrelated factors. Methods A total of33 caregivers of children with NI participated in this cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, carried out in Child Neurology Department of the University Hospital in Sfax (Tunisia), between February and April 2021. The Zarit-Caregiver-Burden-Scale (Zarit-CBS) was administered. Results The average age of the caregivers (27 mothers and 6 fathers) was 38,33 ± 6,53 years. Among the parents, 17.14% had another disabled child and 30.3% had a mediocre health status. Mother caregivers constitutes the majority of caregiving (82.85%). The average of the number of children in the family was 1.97±1.18 and the average age of the children (21 boys and 12 girls) was 7,58±4,29 years. Near to the half of them (51,51%) had intellectual disability.Over 54.54% of the children had a functional independence, while 21.21% required help in walking and 24.24% were unable to walk. The intervention was based on motor rehabilitation (57,57%), adequate equipment (24,24%), ergotherapy (45,45%) and speech therapy (60,6%).After the intervention, 63,63% of children had an improvement and 30,3% had a stationary state. The mean score of Zarit-CBS was 52,45±14,26. The caregiver burden was noted in 96,96%. The total Zarit-CBS score was associated with the number of children in the family (p=0.047). There was no significant relationship between Zarit-CBS and the severity of impairement (p=0.418). Conclusions Given the variety of factors affecting caregiver burden, specific interventions may promote parental caregivers’well-being, and consequently lead to improved quality of care provided to children with NI. Disclosure of Interest None Declared