Evaluating the impact of a community–based parent training programme

Information on 2015-2016 Research in Ghana

CBM, in collaboration with the International Centre for Evidence in Disability of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Ghana (UG) is initiating a research to evaluate the impact of a community–based parent training programme for children with Cerebral Palsy in Ghana.

Background information of study

In June 2013, a new parent training manual for children with cerebral palsywas launched, ‘Getting to know cerebral palsy,’ in order to fill this gap in services. This new comprehensive training manual, developed with funding from CBM, promotes working with groups of parent/caregiver of children with cerebral palsy. This was the product of an 18 month action research project in Bangladesh with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in collaboration with CBM. The parent training manual programme aims to increase knowledge and skills in caring for a child with cerebral palsy. It promotes a participatory learning approachwith an emphasis on the empowerment of parents and caregivers. This manual is used to guide community based training programmes for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy.

Aims and objectives of the study in Ghana

Aim : To test out the effectiveness of a community based training programme targeted at parents and caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Ghana

Objectives :

• To determine the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy before and after their parents / caregivers have been trained
• To explore the pathways of change for caregivers and children with cerebral palsy after caregivers have been trained 
• To explore the ways caregivers are empowered and how it impactsupon care of their child
• To explore the experiences of caregivers before and after they have been trained.

Method

A pre/post- test evaluation of the training will be conducted with eight newly formed groups of parents in seven districts. Mixed method design consisting of a qualitative aspect which will include In-depth interviews and a quantitative part consisting of administration of The PedsQL™ FamilyImpact Questionnaire Module Child at baseline and endline will be used.  

Time scale

This is a 24 month project which would run from Jan 2015- Dec 2016.  This would allow enough time to do follow up longitudinal work with families 6 months after completion of the 12 month parent training course.

Expected outcomes

• Empirical evidence of impact of the parent training on children with cerebral palsy and their families
• Evidence to inform further refinement of the training materials 
• Identification of barriers and facilitating factors in the implementation of the intervention
• Detailed cost of the intervention
• Capacity building of CBM partners in research as an integral component of the project, and closer collaboration with the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana.