Predictors of quality of life of caregivers of children suffering with cerebral palsy in Western Rajasthan, India

Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common causes of motor disability among children worldwide. Having a child with CP brings along some unique challenges for that child and their family, irrespective of their disability status. This study was done to assess the quality of life of primary caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and pinpoint the predictors affecting their quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May 2023 to July 2023 in the Paediatric Department OPD of an Apex Institute of Western Rajasthan. The Primary Caregivers of 274 children with CP (4–12 years) were interviewed using structured pre-validated questionnaires to capture the socio-demographic details. The Short Form Health Survey – 36 (SF-36) questionnaire was used to assess their Quality of Life (QoL). The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scale was used to evaluate the motor functional level of CP children. The data was analysed using SPSS v.23. Chi-square and binomial logistic regression were applied to draw the inferences. Most of the children were diagnosed with mixed types of CP (36.9%), followed by spastic hemiparesis (22.3%) and spastic diplegic (21.2%), respectively. Most CP children had a Gross Motor Functional level of II (28.8%) and III (25.2%). The mean scores of QoL of primary caregivers in domains of their general health, physical functioning, emotional functioning and social functioning were 49.17 ± 14.32, 90.01 ± 7.74, 56.32 ± 32.19 and 62.69 ± 15.69, respectively. The sex of the child (aOR = 2.65, 95%CI:1.18–5.93), employment status of the father, GMF level of the child, and presence of associated comorbidities (aOR = 12.88, 95%CI:1.46–113.48) were found as significant predictors of QoL of the primary caregivers. The quality of life of primary caregivers of children with CP was primarily affected in domains like general health condition, social functioning, emotional well-being, energy level, emotional functioning and physical pain. The sex of the child, employment status of the father, GMF level of the child, and presence of associated comorbidities were found to be significant predictors of QoL of the primary caregivers of children with CP.