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Original Research
Epidemiology of cerebral palsy among children in Ghana
Submitted: 17 September 2023 | Published: 20 September 2024
About the author(s)
Israt Jahan, Child Sight Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Asian Institute of Disability and Development (AIDD), University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh; and School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, AustraliaSk. Md. Kamrul Bashar, Child Sight Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Asian Institute of Disability and Development (AIDD), University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Francis Laryea, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana
Samuel Kofi Amponsah, Department of Health Information, Christian Health Association of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Frederick Inkum Danquah, St. John of God College of Health, Duayaw Nkwanta, Ghana
Mohammad Muhit, Child Sight Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Asian Institute of Disability and Development (AIDD), University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Hayley Smithers-Sheedy, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Sarah McIntyre, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
Nadia Badawi, Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Institute, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; and Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
Gulam Khandaker, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia; Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia; and Central Queensland Public Health Unit, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Background: The epidemiology of cerebral palsy (CP) is poorly described in Ghana. These data are crucial for evidence-based intervention for children with CP in the country.
Objectives: We aimed to describe the epidemiology of CP among children in Ghana.
Method: We established the first institution-based register of children with CP in Ghana (Ghana CP Register–GCPR). Children with confirmed CP aged < 18 years were registered following a detailed neurodevelopmental assessment. Socio-demographics, risk factors, predominant motor type and topography, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS), associated impairments, education and rehabilitation status were documented.
Results: Between October 2018 and February 2020, 455 children were registered (mean [standard deviation {s.d.}] age at assessment: 5.9 [4.1] years). Preterm birth and low birthweight were reported in 52.0% and 21.1% children respectively. Most children (79.6%) had a pre- or perinatally acquired CP and the mean (s.d.) age of CP diagnosis was 22.2 (21.6) months. Overall, 55.9% of children had spastic tri- or quadriplegia, 60.5% had GMFCS level III–V and 70.3% had ≥ 1 associated impairment. However, 20.5% had never received rehabilitation services and 69.6% of school-aged children in the GCPR were not enrolled in schools.
Conclusion: The study findings indicate a high burden of severe motor and associated impairment among children with CP in Ghana which highlights the need for tailored interventions to improve health and well-being of children with CP in the country.
Contribution: The study highlights the need for interventions to improve functional outcome, health and well-being of children with CP in Ghana.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
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