ACCESS TO POST-NATAL CARE AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN WITH ATHETOID CEREBRAL PALSY: STUDY IN REHABILITATIVE CENTRES PESHAWAR

Abstract

Objective:  To determine the frequency of access to postnatal care among children with athetoid cerebral palsy and to determine the factors influencing access to postnatal care.

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1^st April 2018 to 31^st May 2018 on 100 mothers of children with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy who came for follow-up to Akbar Kare Institute. Data were collected using a consecutive sampling approach through an interview-based questionnaire, questions related to access to postnatal care and reasons, including mothers’ awareness regarding the importance of early post-natal care, for not accessing postnatal care on time. Statistics obtained using SPSS 20.0.

Results: A total of 100 subjects visited Akbar Kare Institute for follow-up. Mothers of patients who have cerebral palsy took part in the study. Mean age of the study population at the time of marriage was 18.6 ± 2.6 years, with a range of 15-25 years. Fifty eight percent of mothers had received education till primary level (class 1-5) while 93% of mothers were living in a joint family system. The decision maker in the family on health matters such as visit to the hospital was not the mother of the child alone but 51% of the time it was the child’s paternal grandmother. Fifty-six families had a total monthly income less than Rs.20,000. Among the study participants, 54% did not receive post-natal care. Most of the mothers (89%) reported that they were not aware that the increased bilirubin levels would eventually cause permanent damage to their children.