Original Research

Challenges experienced by mothers caring for children with cerebral palsy in Zambia

Carol Singogo, Margaret Mweshi, Anthea Rhoda
South African Journal of Physiotherapy | Vol 71, No 1 | a274 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v71i1.274 | © 2015 Carol Singogo, Margaret Mweshi, Anthea Rhoda | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 22 April 2015 | Published: 10 November 2015

About the author(s)

Carol Singogo, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa
Margaret Mweshi, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Zambia, Zambia
Anthea Rhoda, Department of Physiotherapy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Mothers caring for children with disability experience a number of challenges.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the challenges that mothers who cared for children with cerebral palsy (CP) living in Zambia experienced.

Methods: During a qualitative study the experiences of 16 conveniently sampled mothers of children with CP, from the Ndola district in Zambia, were explored by means of interviews. The responses were thematically analysed. All the necessary ethical considerations were upheld.

Results: Mothers experienced social isolation and marital problems, as well as negative attitudes from family, friends, community members and health care professionals. The physical environment created access challenges because of a lack of sidewalks, ramps, functioning lifts and small indoor spaces.

Conclusion: Mothers of children with CP feel socially isolated owing to a lack of support from family, community members, and health care providers. This social isolation was exacerbated by attitudes of others towards the mothers; it was felt that mothers were responsible for their children’s condition. Mothers also experienced marital problems as a result of having a child with CP.


Keywords

Social, Attitudinal, Marital Challenges, Cerebral Palsy, Zambia, Mothers

Metrics

Total abstract views: 6264
Total article views: 15206

 

Crossref Citations

1. The state of evidence on the health outcomes and support needs of family caregivers of children with Cerebral Palsy in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Melkitu Melak, Afolasade Fakolade, Solomon Mekonnen, Adhanom Baraki, Amanda Ross-White, Beata Batorowicz
Disability and Rehabilitation  vol: 47  issue: 21  first page: 5435  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2472984

2. Qualitative research in physiotherapy: A systematic mapping review of 20 years literature from sub-Saharan Africa
Michael Kalu, Augustine Okoh, Chukwuebuka Okeke, Ebuka Anieto, Michael Ibekaku, Ukachukwu Abaraogu
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice  vol: 39  issue: 4  first page: 704  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2028952

3. Caring for a child with a disability in a Zambian community: A study using photo‐elicitation
Renee A. Hepperlen, Paula Rabaey, Amanda Ament‐Lemke, Hayley Manley
Child: Care, Health and Development  vol: 47  issue: 4  first page: 422  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1111/cch.12851

4. Resilience and challenges: A qualitative exploration of Jordanian Mothers' experiences with children who have cerebral palsy
Khulood Kayed Shattnawi, Esraa Ali Balbaa
Journal of Pediatric Nursing  vol: 78  first page: e314  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.07.020

5. Family caregivers’ experience of care with a child with cerebral palsy: the lived experiences and challenges of caregivers in a resource-limited setting in northern Ghana
Mavis Mallory Mwinbam, Joseph Ngmenesegre Suglo, Yaa Nyarko Agyeman, Margaret Wekem Kukeba
BMJ Paediatrics Open  vol: 7  issue: 1  first page: e001807  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2022-001807

6. Family quality of life for families of children with disabilities in African contexts: a scoping review
Julia Jansen-van Vuuren, Reshma Parvin Nuri, Ansha Nega, Beata Batorowicz, Rosemary Lysaght, Heather Michelle Aldersey
Quality of Life Research  vol: 31  issue: 5  first page: 1289  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1007/s11136-021-02994-z

7. The Barriers to Caring for a Child Living with Cerebral Palsy (CP) in Rural Limpopo, South Africa
Ngokwana Rachamose, Clare Harvey
Disabilities  vol: 5  issue: 1  first page: 11  year: 2025  
doi: 10.3390/disabilities5010011

8. Facilitators and barriers to the adherence of physiotherapy clinic attendance and home programme by caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Blantyre, Malawi
Promise Mtima-Jere, Shadreck Msowoya, Violet Chinyamu, Triza Kanduku, Rebecca Turkel, Anderson Mughogho
Developmental Neurorehabilitation  vol: 28  issue: 2-3  first page: 103  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1080/17518423.2025.2526356

9. Quality of Life of Primary Caregivers of Children With Cerebral Palsy From a Family Perspective
Kadi A Alhumaidi, Meznah O Alshwameen, Maram S Alsayed, Dana K Alqoaer, Reema S Albalawi, Sarah M Alanzi, Amjad F Alharthe, Hind Abdulaziz Subayyil Alanazi
Cureus  year: 2023  
doi: 10.7759/cureus.49378

10. Development, effectiveness, and usability of a home-based exercise education video on neck control among Nigerian children with cerebral palsy
A. Okonji, M. Odetunde, R. Ibrahim, P. Govender
Bulletin of Faculty of Physical Therapy  vol: 30  issue: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1186/s43161-025-00289-9

11. Rural South African mothers’ perspectives on strategies to mitigate cerebral palsy caregiving
Ngokwana Rachamose
African Journal of Disability  vol: 14  year: 2025  
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1632

12. Uncovering The Psychosocial Challenges of Families Caring for Children With Cerebral Palsy: An Aggregated Meta-Synthesis
Andromeda Andromeda, Nurul Hartini, Suryanto Suryanto
Proceeding of International Conference on Special Education in South East Asia Region  vol: 3  issue: 1  first page: 281  year: 2024  
doi: 10.57142/picsar.v3i1.409

13. Experiences and Needs of Parents Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review
Ian Thiruchelvam Elangkovan, Shefaly Shorey
Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics  vol: 41  issue: 9  first page: 730  year: 2020  
doi: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000880

14. Title: Caring for Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Challenge to Caregivers in Rural Areas of South Africa
Duppy Manyuma, Mary Maluleke, Ndidzulafhi Selina Raliphaswa, Thingahangwi Cecilia Masutha, Mphedziseni Esther Rangwaneni, Takalani Eldah Thabathi, Ndivhaleni Robert Lavhelani
Children  vol: 10  issue: 3  first page: 440  year: 2023  
doi: 10.3390/children10030440

15. “I'm not sad anymore, I'm proud to have such a child”: The experiences of caregivers of dependents with cerebral palsy living in Greece
Angeliki Bistaraki, Nikos Stefanopoulos, Panagiotis Kiekkas, Dimitra Stamatopoulou, Michael Igoumenidis
Journal of Pediatric Nursing  vol: 81  first page: 89  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.12.007

16. Caregivers' experiences of having a child with cerebral palsy. A meta-synthesis
Maggie Dumsile Dlamini, Ying-Ju Chang, Tram Thi Bich Nguyen
Journal of Pediatric Nursing  vol: 73  first page: 157  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.08.026

17. The mediating role of social support in the relationship between care burden and sleep status of parents of children with cerebral palsy
Mehmet Emin Düken, Kadriye Şahin, Hülya Karataş
Anatolian Journal of Health Research  vol: 5  issue: 2  first page: 107  year: 2024  
doi: 10.61534/anatoljhr.1415424

18. Mothers’ challenges and experiences of children with cerebral palsy: a qualitative meta-synthesis
Meng-Yun Peng, Yi-Fu Lu
Frontiers of Nursing  vol: 11  issue: 2  first page: 169  year: 2024  
doi: 10.2478/fon-2024-0018

19. Challenges in Parenting Experienced by Mothers of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Phenomenological Study
Maheswari Vikraman Gayathri, Reena George, Vishnu Renjith, Roshan Bijlee Khan Nadira, Karoly Marakkar Riaz, Kollamkandipalliyali Aswin, Alka Raju, Chris Thomas, Justin Pazhayathottathil Kurien
Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1007/s40737-024-00424-0

20. Mothers' experience of having a child with cerebral palsy. A systematic review
Meg Smith, Julie Blamires
Journal of Pediatric Nursing  vol: 64  first page: 64  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2022.01.014

21. The experiences and coping mechanisms of mothers caring for a child with cerebral palsy
Raheleh Sabetsarvestani, Semra Köse, Abdullah Canbal, Emine Geçkil
Women & Health  vol: 63  issue: 6  first page: 425  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1080/03630242.2023.2223682

22. Caregiving Experiences and Expectations of Turkish Mothers of Children with Disabilities
Duygu Mine Alataş, Mustafa Cemali, Çiğdem Öksüz, Aynur Ayşe Karaduman
Occupational Therapy In Health Care  first page: 1  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1080/07380577.2025.2465990

23. The practice of partnerships: A case study of the Disabled Children’s Action Group, South Africa
Susan C. Philpott, Nithi Muthukrishna
South African Journal of Childhood Education  vol: 9  issue: 1  year: 2019  
doi: 10.4102/sajce.v9i1.729

24. The experiences of Black African parents on partnership: Working with education professionals in the English special education needs and disability system
Chike Nnalue, Arif Mahmud
Equity in Education & Society  vol: 4  issue: 3  first page: 383  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1177/27526461241248194

25. Parental Stress and Bringing up a Child with Cerebral Palsy: A Foreign Studies Review
K.A. Kim, R.V. Kadirov
Clinical Psychology and Special Education  vol: 11  issue: 4  first page: 1  year: 2022  
doi: 10.17759/cpse.2022110401

26. Serebral Palsili Çocuklarda Çocuk ve Bakım Veren Özellikleri ile Bakım Verenin Yorgunluk ve Yaşam Kalitesi Parametreleri Arasındaki İlişki
Sezen Tezcan, Eylem Tütün Yümin, Seda Ayaz Taş
Sağlık Bilimlerinde Değer  vol: 15  issue: 3  first page: 401  year: 2025  
doi: 10.33631/sabd.1529710

27. Barriers and Facilitators to Caring for a Child with Cerebral Palsy in Rural Communities of the Western Cape, South Africa
Chrisma Pretorius, Jacqui Steadman
Child Care in Practice  vol: 24  issue: 4  first page: 413  year: 2018  
doi: 10.1080/13575279.2017.1347146

28. ‘ It shuttered down our hearts ’: the mental health of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in rural Limpopo, South Africa
Ngokwana Rachamose, Clare Harvey
South African Journal of Psychology  vol: 55  issue: 2  first page: 217  year: 2025  
doi: 10.1177/00812463251315869

29. ‘I’m proud of my son with CP’: Cerebral palsy caregivers’ experiences, Gauteng province
Faith Maronga-Feshete, Sonti Pilusa, Abigail Dreyer
African Journal of Disability  vol: 13  year: 2024  
doi: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1357

30. Empowering Caregivers of Children With Disabilities in Zambia: A Photovoice Study
Paula Rabaey, Renee Hepperlen, Hayley Manley, Amanda Ament-Lemke
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy  vol: 75  issue: 4  year: 2021  
doi: 10.5014/ajot.2021.045526

31. Evaluation of Anxiety, Depression and Burden on Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Adnan Barutcu, Saliha Barutcu, Safi Kolkiran, Fatih Ozdener
Developmental Neurorehabilitation  vol: 24  issue: 8  first page: 555  year: 2021  
doi: 10.1080/17518423.2021.1917718

32. Psychosocial experiences of mothers caring for children with cerebral palsy in the eThekwini district
Sibongile Seroke, Sipho W. Mkhize
Health SA Gesondheid  vol: 28  year: 2023  
doi: 10.4102/hsag.v28i0.2072

33. Burden, needs, and attitudes of parents of children with cerebral palsy in a middle-income country
Ifeoma Uchenna Onwuakagba, Emmanuel Chiebuka Okoye, Leonard Arinzechukwu Simon, Uchenna Prosper Okonkwo, Maduabuchi Joseph Nwankwo
Journal of Public Health  vol: 32  issue: 6  first page: 1083  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1007/s10389-023-01896-3

34. Fathers' experiences of caring for children living with cerebral palsy: A qualitative study in a low resourced socioeconomic context, Ghana
Lucy Selorm Bentum, Lillian Akorfa Ohene, Veronica Adwoa Agyare, Luke Laari, Menford Owusu Ampomah
Journal of Pediatric Nursing  vol: 73  first page: e100  year: 2023  
doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.07.019

35. Clothing design solutions for children with developmental disabilities: A scoping review protocol
Nagaveni N. Nayak, Shristi Shakya, Nachiket Gudi, Sonia Khurana, Sivakumar Gopalakrishnan, Veena Rao, Bhamini Krishna Rao
MethodsX  vol: 13  first page: 102974  year: 2024  
doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.102974