IDENTIFYING COMPLEMENTARY, ALTERNATIVE, AND INTEGRATIVE TREATMENT METHODS FOR PEDIATRIC CEREBRAL PALSY IN GHANA

What is the project about?

The purpose of this study is to describe the various medical/non-medical forms of treatment used by mothers to care for children with cerebral palsy and to gain an understanding of how beliefs, intentions, and expectations surrounding various methods of care impact care-seeking.

Why is the project important?

Early diagnosis and medical treatment for children suffering with cerebral palsy is critical for reducing lifelong morbidity and mortality. One study found that 1-4 years of treatment begun within the first few months of life reduced stress-induced neurological symptoms and produced normal gait in 75% of children under 1 year of age living with cerebral palsy. Medical pluralism is a common form of health care in sub-Saharan Africa, and many patients in Ghana continue to use alternative care and treatment methods despite previous research suggesting that physiotherapy and prescription medications have been effective to manage symptoms of cerebral palsy and secondary conditions. This study will take place in Accra, Ghana. Accra is the ideal setting to study factors which influence care seeking given that it is the center of the Ghanaian medical system due to the diversity of care options available for children with cerebral palsy located there.

How is this project going to solve the problem?

The goal of this study is to explore how various methods of care are perceived by caregivers and providers in order to develop evidence-based recommendations for improving care-seeking among mothers of children with cerebral palsy. The types of participants involved in the study are key in understanding care-seeking behaviors of caregivers for children with cerebral palsy. Mothers are the primary participants in this study due to their high level of participation as caregivers for children with cerebral palsy. Health workers and alternative/complementary medicine providers can provide insight on their expertise on the different methods and strategies of care for children with cerebral palsy, which will allow the researchers to understand expectations and attitudes surrounding medical care vs. alternative care and also help characterize care-seeking behaviors within different health care settings.

How will the study be conducted?

Participants will be recruited by snowball sampling through CLCD, which has partnerships with local cerebral palsy organizations and hospitals. Once recruited, participants will be identified according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria and go through an informed consent procedure prior to participation. Researchers will distribute background questionnaires to mothers of children with cerebral palsy, health workers who treat these children, and complementary/alternative care providers in the Accra region of Ghana. A total of 40 in-depth interviews will be conducted: 20 interviews with mothers of children with cerebral palsy, 10 with health providers who care for children with cerebral palsy, and 10 with non- medical providers (herbalists, spiritual leaders). Free-listing will be used to collect an initial list of complementary, alternative, integrative, and medical forms of treatment for children with cerebral palsy from mothers and medical providers.

Is the project already done? 

This protocol was submitted in 2018, however no additional information was provided to determine if the project has taken place.