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Journal of Pediatric Neurology
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1772211
Original Article

“It Affects Everything about Me”: Sleep Problems among Children with Cerebral Palsy and Their Caregivers in Ile-Ife—A Mixed-Methods Study

Oluwatosin E. Olorunmoteni 
1   Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
2   Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
,
Joan I. Akande
2   Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
,
Toluwani E. Babalola
2   Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
,
Abiodun Kareem
3   Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria
,
Temiloluwa Taiwo Oyetoke
2   Department of Paediatrics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
,
Champion Seun-Fadipe
4   Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Background Sleep problems are common in children with cerebral palsy (CWCP). However, the effect of sleep problems in CWCP on caregivers has not been well studied. We aimed to describe the sleep problems in CWCP and their caregivers, and explore the effect of the children's sleep on the caregivers' sleep.

Methods This cross-sectional, mixed-methods research was conducted at a pediatric neurology clinic in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used for assessing sleep problems of the children and their caregivers, respectively. We held three focused group discussions (FGDs) involving 18 caregivers using a pretested FGD guide. We analyzed the quantitative data using Stata-15 software, while qualitative data were transcribed and managed using ATLAS.ti Software.

Results We studied 71 CWCP–caregiver dyads and 69 age- and sex-matched controls. There was a male preponderance for CWCP (M:F = 1.09:1) and female preponderance for caregivers (89.5%). Sleep disturbances (SDSC > 40) occurred in 34% of CP children and poor sleep quality was seen in 39% of caregivers. When compared with age- and sex-matched typically developing peers, there was a statistically significant higher sleep disturbance in CWCP (p = 0.009). Sleep difficulties in the CWCP comprise sleep–wake transition disorders (45.0%), difficulty initiating sleep (43.3%), and sleep breathing disorders (37.5%). Caregivers experienced short sleep duration. One mother said: “It affects my sleep, health, and work. It affects everything about me.”

Conclusion Sleep problems in CWCP affect the well-being of their caregivers. Interventions targeted at both the children and their caregivers are needed.

Keywords

neurodevelopmental disorders - sleep disturbance - sleep quality - caregivers' burden - coping strategies

Ethical Considerations

The ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the OAUTHC, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (reference number: ERC/2022/12/03). We provided detailed information about the study to all the caregivers. Thereafter, an informed consent was signed by all the caregivers of the children.




Publication History

Received: 15 April 2023

Accepted: 07 July 2023

Article published online:
29 September 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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