Quality of life of caregivers of autistic children and adolescents visiting health facilities in Lucknow City, Uttar Pradesh, India: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The lifelong responsibility of the autistic children along with the lack of knowledge, lack of treatment, and if treatment is available, it is unaffordable leads to deterioration of quality of life of the parents in several domains. Objectives: The objective is to study the quality of life of principal caregivers of autistic children and adolescents visiting health facilities in Lucknow city. Materials and Methods: The sample included 90 principal caregivers (aged < 60 years) of autistic children and adolescents aged 3–19 years and diagnosed with autism, attending government and private health facilities providing treatment for autism in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Results: The quality of life of principal caregivers was found to be influenced most in the physical health domain (with least score). The predictors of quality of life of principal caregivers were type of family and knowledge regarding child's problem. Conclusion and Recommendations: Thus, there is an immense need of increasing awareness through information, education, and communication materials, mass media, and discussions regarding autism.

Keywords

• Autistic children
• predictors of quality of life
• quality of life of caregivers