Measuring the knowledge level of cerebral palsy patients' parents about the complications of the disease

Background: The aim of this study was to measure the knowledge level of cerebral palsy (CP) patients' parents about the complications of the disease. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted with the mothers of 50 patients diagnosed with CP between 2015-2020 in the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinic in Elazig. The questionnaire consisting of 18 questions created by the researchers was applied face to face by the researchers. Results: The mean age of the patients participating in the study was 5.7±3.7 years, most of them were men (60%), and the rate of illiteracy among those over the age of 6 was 6.3%. The mean age of the mothers was 31.5±5.3, and 90% of them were using smartphones and 70% were using social media. 74% of the patients were diagnosed with CP from the university hospital. The knowledge level of the mothers about complications was very low (no mention was made of 68-86%). The least mentioned complications were dental problems (86%), urinary problems (82%), pain (82%), and osteopenia (82%). It was determined that speech problems were mentioned 5.02 times (95% CI= 1.21-20.80; p= 0.026) more frequently and reflux was mentioned 5.9 times (95% CI= 1.30-26.28; p= 0.026) more frequently in public hospitals and/or private examinations. As the time passed after diagnosis of CP increased, it was observed that scoliosis complication was mentioned 1.3 times more (95% CI= 1.01-1.58; p= 0.045). Conclusions: It should be given importance in all health institutions to explain the complications that may occur in the future in patients with CP to the patients' parents at the time of diagnosis.