Ngassa, Elizabeth Anna
(2018)
Assessment of prevalence and
risk factors for cerebral palsy: A case of Mbeya zonal referral hospital.
Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.
Abstract
This study aimed at evaluating the prevalence and risk factors associated with
cerebral palsy at Mbeya zonal referral hospital. Specifically the study aimed at
establishing the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the study area, determining the risk
factors for cerebral palsy in children at the study area and determining the challenges
faced by medical personnel while handling cerebral palsy in children at the study
area. The study used a descriptive quantitative research design where cross-sectional
survey was applied while data were collected using self-administered structured
questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were utilized to
analyse data from 120 individuals obtained through simple random sampling. The
results established that the prevalence of cerebral palsy in the study area is 17.77 per
1000 live births. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk factor
associated with cerebral palsy at Mbeya zonal referral hospital was neonatal seizures
at significant level of p=0.005 and OR=0.158. The challenges facing medical
personnel during handling cerebral palsy patients include few experts, inadequate
facilities, low income among parents and care givers, poor nutrition and lack of
education. The study concludes that neonatal seizures were the major cause of
cerebral palsy in the study area. Thus, it is recommended that the government should
establish a well-equipped neonatal intensive care and intensive physiotherapy units
at all zonal hospitals including Mbeya zonal referral hospital as well as increasing
the number of experts to adequately handle CP patients in the zone. In addition it is
suggested that improvement of antenatal and perinatal care is important in the
reduction of the incidence of cerebral palsy.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |