Occupational therapy needs of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy in Zimbabwe: caregivers’ perspectives

Abstract

Objectives: To determine occupational therapy needs of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy living in an urban setting, to identify participation levels in activities of daily living and social activities, to identify factors influencing participation and to determine the contribution of occupational therapy in participating in these activities.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional

Setting: Community rehabilitation outreach points in Epworth, Mufakose, Glenview, Dzivarasekwa, Mabvuku and Norton.

Participants: Thirty-five randomly selected primary caregivers of adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy.

Data analysis: Data collected on the questionnaires was analysed using SPSS/16.0 for frequencies and means.

Results: Fourteen (41%) of the adolescents and young adults were independent in self-care activities such as toileting, grooming, dressing, mobility and bathing. Twenty-one (59%) were totally dependent or needed some assistance in performing activities of daily living. Factors reported to influence participation included upper and lower limb contractures, transport challenges, financial constraints and the home environment. Occupational therapy needs of adolescents and young adults as reported by their caregivers included further training in activities of daily living (74%), home adaptations (66%), vocational skills training (20%) and provision of appropriate assistive devices (6%).

Conclusion: In light of these findings performance areas that still needed occupational therapy interventions included activities of daily living, vocational skills training, use of assistive devices and home adaptations. Therefore adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy living in Zimbabwe still have functional performance deficits that can be addressed by provision of follow-up community occupational therapy interventions.