Effects of An Educational Programme on Knowledge of Cerebral Palsy among Informal Caregivers of Children Presenting at Selected Physiotherapy Clinics in Ibadan

Abstract

Background: Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) often require assistance from their informal caregivers to perform age-expected functions. These caregivers require sufficient knowledge of CP to effectively perform their roles. Effects of a structured education programme to improve CP knowledge among caregivers have been separately studied using single-module and multi-module educational programmes Information is however scarce on their differential effects. Objective: To compare the effects of single and multi-module educational programme interventions on the knowledge of CP among their informal caregivers. Methods: A quasi-experimental design involving 40 consecutively sampled informal caregivers of children with CP. They were assigned into either the single-module or the multi-module educational intervention groups. Baseline and post-intervention knowledge of CP were assessed using the Knowledge of Cerebral Palsy Questionnaire and compared using Wilcoxon signed- rank test and Mann-Whitney U test at p=0.05. Results: There was a significant within-group increase in the knowledge of CP in each of the two groups (p=0.001). Between-groups comparison revealed no statistically significant difference in the effects of either models (p= 0.26). Conclusion: The single-module and multiple module educational programme are equally effective in improving knowledge of CP and should be incorporated into the total management of CP.