Socio-economic impact on Sri Lankan families managing a child with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition that limits a child’s ability to move, maintain balance and posture. Dependency thus ensues, cause significant detrimental effects on the quality of life of CP children and their families. In a cross sectional descriptive study, socio-economic impact on Sri Lankan families managing a CP child was studied. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data 300 families with CP children were studied. The majority were from the low to low middle income groups. Significant negative socio-economic impacts on the families were identified in terms of the time spent on the child, economic loss due effects on employment, cost of managing the child, marital disharmony and effects on other siblings. A well structured social welfare system is in need to support Sri Lankan families with CP children to minimize the negative