Fathers' experiences of caring for children living with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study in a low resourced socioeconomic context, Ghana

Abstract

Background: In Ghana, little is known about fathers' experiences caring for children with cerebral palsy. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore a. the caregiving demand and burden on fathers of children with cerebral palsy and b. describe the caregiving consequences and coping strategies of fathers of children with cerebral palsy. Design and methods: The study utilized an exploratory, descriptive qualitative approach with a sample size of fifteen fathers purposively selected. The study used a semi-structured interview guide to conduct a one-on-one interview with participants. The analysis performed was thematic and content analysis. Results: The results revealed complexities of care demand and burden; thus, meeting the child's needs resulted in physical and mental exhaustion, frequent hospital visits, and substantial financial implications for fathers. Conclusions: We conclude that the family, particularly fathers, need support to embrace the challenging care roles as parents to children with cerebral palsy. It is evident that caring for children is mainly reserved for mothers in the African context. However, the demanding nature of care for a child with a developmental disability requires the involvement of both parents to meet the child's care needs and reduce the caregiver's care burden. Practice implications: Health professionals, particularly nurses must initiate and advocate for fathers' active participation in daily childcare. Tailored supportive care for families with children with disabilities in sub Saharan Africa is required