Awareness and Understanding of Cerebral Palsy Among the General Population: A Cross-Sectional Survey Study
1. Nithen Palanisamy
2. Rahul Kannan
MF Siddiq
(Students, International Medical Faculty, Osh state university, Kyrgyzstan.
Teacher, International Medical Faculty, Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan)
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common neurological disorders in childhood. It is characterized by a permanent disorder of movement and posture resulting from non-progressive disturbances of the developing brain. Public knowledge and awareness of CP is important in facilitating early intervention, social inclusion and support for those affected and for their families.
Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness, knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Cerebral Palsy among the general population and to identify areas where educational interventions need to be improved.
Methods
A structured online questionnaire comprising of 20 questions on demographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and community engagement regarding Cerebral Palsy was administered in a cross-sectional survey. There were 110 respondents to the survey. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results were expressed as frequencies and percentages.
Results
54.5% of the participants stated that they had never heard of Cerebral Palsy. Overall knowledge of the causes, treatment and challenges of CP was generally poor and many respondents were unsure of the condition. Although 48.2% correctly identified brain injury before birth as a major cause, almost half of the participants were not sure whether CP is curable. Most respondents believed that the level of independence of people with CP depends to a large extent on the severity of the disease. Participants also showed a positive attitude towards awareness programs and educational initiatives to increase public understanding.
Conclusion
The results show that the surveyed population has a lack of awareness and understanding of Cerebral Palsy. Community awareness programs, special education programs and inclusion of disability education in school curricula might improve the knowledge and change the misconceptions related to Cerebral Palsy. Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Awareness, Knowledge, Public Perception, Education About Disability, Cross-Sectional Survey
Introduction
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a group of permanent disorders of movement, posture and motor function due to non-progressive disturbances that occur in the developing fetal or infant brain. It is the most common physical disability in childhood and impacts millions of people around the world. The neurological insult resulting in CP is not progressive, however the clinical manifestations and functional limitations associated with it may change over the course of life. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a multifactorial etiology, including prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors such as hypoxic brain injury, prematurity, infections, genetic abnormalities, and traumatic brain injury. People with CP may experience various challenges, including motor impairment, speech problems, intellectual disability, sensory impairment and activity limitations of daily living. Early diagnosis and multidisciplinary intervention have demonstrated improved function.
Despite the advancement of healthcare and rehabilitation, public awareness about Cerebral Palsy is still lacking in many communities. Misunderstanding the causes, treatments, abilities and social participation of people with CP can result in stigma, discrimination and less opportunity for inclusion. Public understanding is especially important because awareness affects early recognition, healthcare-seeking behavior, educational support, and social acceptance. The general population’s knowledge and attitude concerning disability have been studied in a number of surveys and important gaps in awareness have been noted. However, information regarding public awareness of Cerebral Palsy in various community settings is limited. Knowing the current awareness level is a significant step in the development of specific educational interventions and public health strategies.
Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the awareness, knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of the general population regarding Cerebral Palsy and to identify possible areas for improvement of public education and community engagement.
Materials and Methods
The Design A descriptive cross-sectional survey study was conducted to evaluate awareness and understanding of Cerebral Palsy among the general population. Population for Study Participants aged 18 years and older who consented to participate in the survey were included in the study. Participants were recruited using online and social networking sites. Those with an incomplete response were excluded from the final analysis.
Sample Size
The survey was completed by 110 participants and was included in the analysis of the study. Study tool Data were collected through a structured questionnaire of 20 items. The questionnaire was divided into 4 parts:
• General knowledge about Cerebral Palsy and demographic profile (Questions 1-5)
• Knowledge of Causes, Treatment & Challenges of Cerebral Palsy (Questions 6-10)
• Attitudes and Perceptions of People with Cerebral Palsy (Questions 11–15)
• Questions 16–20 Awareness raising and community engagement
The questionnaire included multiple choice questions, Likert-scale items and open-ended questions to assess the participants' knowledge and opinions about Cerebral Palsy.
Procedure of Data Collection
The survey was carried out electronically with the help of an online questionnaire platform. Participation was voluntary and the purpose of the study was explained to the respondents before they answered the survey. Electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants.
Statistical analysis
The data collected was entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Categorical variables were calculated for frequencies and percentages. Where appropriate, the findings were presented in tables and graphics. Ethical considerations. Participation in this study was on a voluntary basis. The study ensured confidentiality and anonymity of the respondents. No personally identifiable information was gathered. The purpose of the study was explained to participants and they gave their consent prior to participation. The study was carried out in accordance with ethical principles for research involving human participants
Study Objectives Primary Objective To assess the knowledge and awareness of Cerebral Palsy in the general population. Sub Goals To assess knowledge about causes, symptoms and management of Cerebral Palsy. To measure the attitude of persons living with Cerebral Palsy. To identify misconceptions and gaps in knowledge regarding the condition. To measure willingness to participate in awareness and education initiatives. To give recommendations for improving social inclusion and public awareness.
Result
1. Demographic Factors and General Information about Cerebral Palsy (Questions 1–5) The survey was completed by a total of 110 participants. The majority were in the age group of 18-25 years (80.0%) followed by those under 18 years (10.0%). 73.6% of the sample were men and 20.9% were females. Most respondents held a bachelor’s degree (70.9%).
Regarding awareness, 45.5% of the participants said that they have heard of Cerebral Palsy (CP) and 54.5% had never heard of the condition. Mostly low to moderate levels of self-assessed knowledge were reported, with most respondents rating their knowledge as 2 or 3 on a 5-point scale.
2. Knowledge of the causes, treatment and difficulties of cerebral palsy (6-10)
Participants had varying degrees of knowledge about CP. The most common cause identified was injury to the brain before birth (48.2%), followed by infection and genetic factors. However, a significant proportion chose incorrect answers or stated uncertainty. When asked if CP is curable, almost half of the respondents (48.2%) were unsure, but 22.7% believed that it is curable. Only 29.1% were able to give the correct response that CP is not curable but can be managed through appropriate interventions. The main problem identified by people with CP was difficulty with movement, followed by speech and learning difficulties. However, there was a substantial proportion of participants that reported uncertainty about the challenges of the condition.
3. Attitudes and Perceptions of Cerebral Palsy People (Questions 11–15)
Most respondents (69.1%) reported that they did not know anyone with CP personally. Generally, comfort levels in interaction with individuals with CP were moderate, with the majority of participants choosing a score of 2 or 3 on the 5-point scale. Regarding independent living, 58.2% thought that independence depends on the severity of the condition and 26.4% thought that individuals with CP cannot live independently. Moreover, only 27.3% were strongly in favor of disability education in schools and many respondents remained unsure.
These findings demonstrate moderate acceptance but limited confidence and understanding of the abilities and social participation of persons with CP.
4. Raising Awareness and Community Engagement (Questions 16-20)
Participants reported the need for increased public awareness about CP. Only 30.0% had definite willingness to take part in awareness programs while more than half (53.6%) said they may participate in future programs. The most effective strategies for improving public understanding of CP were identified as social media campaigns, television-based educational programs and school-based awareness activities. Open-ended responses identified a need for more social inclusion, and support services and educational opportunities for people with disabilities.
DISCUSSION
Comparison with Previous Studies The present study evaluated knowledge, awareness and perception about Cerebral Palsy among the members of general population. The findings revealed significant gaps in awareness and understanding despite the relatively high educational background of participants. The results indicated that over 50% of the respondents had never heard of Cerebral Palsy, suggesting that the awareness among the public is still very low. Similar results have been found in other countries in previous studies about the lack of public knowledge about CP. Research by Novak et al has shown that Cerebral Palsy is one of the most common childhood neurological disorders but awareness in the general population is often low. Similar findings were reported from community-based surveys in developing countries where misconceptions regarding causes, treatment and prognosis were common.
Currently the most common identified cause of CP in the present study was prenatal brain injury. This is in line with known medical knowledge and previous studies that have recognized prenatal and perinatal brain injury as important contributors to the disorder. The presence of uncertainty and incorrect responses, however, shows continuing misconceptions in the public. Almost half of the respondents did not know whether CP is curable and about one-quarter thought it could be cured. Similar misconceptions have been reported in similar studies in which many people confused rehabilitation and symptom management for a complete cure. Current medical evidence suggests that CP is a life-long neurological condition, but early intervention, rehabilitation and multidisciplinary care can significantly improve functional outcomes.
Mixed perceptions regarding independence among individuals with CP were also reported by participants. Most respondents agreed that independence depends on severity. However, a significant number of respondents thought people with CP cannot live independently. Previous research emphasizes the fact that many individuals with CP can achieve educational, vocational and social independence provided the right support systems are in place. The survey also suggested positive attitudes towards future awareness initiatives. Respondents often cited social media and educational programming as useful awareness tools. This finding is in line with current public health literature, which points to the benefits of digital platforms and school-based interventions as pathways for disability awareness and stigma reduction.
The overall findings suggest that positive attitudes exist toward people with CP, but significant knowledge gaps also exist. Therefore, more public education is needed to enhance understanding, reduce misconceptions and foster social inclusion. Future Recommendations Launch nationwide awareness campaigns on social media, TV, and digital platforms to raise public awareness about Cerebral Palsy. Disability education and inclusive health should be incorporated into school and university curricula to foster early understanding. Establish community outreach programs that include healthcare professionals, rehabilitation specialists and advocacy groups. Support initiatives that foster direct engagement and inclusion between community members and persons with Cerebral Palsy. Conduct larger, multi-center studies with diverse demographic populations to better understand patterns of awareness and to guide evidence-based interventions.
Conclusions
This study has found that the knowledge and awareness of Cerebral Palsy was still inadequate among the respondents. While some participants correctly identified causes and challenges of the condition, there continue to be substantial misconceptions and lack of certainty, particularly around treatment, prognosis and independent living. The results also indicate that the respondents have a generally positive attitude towards awareness programs and agree that more educational efforts are required. Increased public education through schools, health institutions and online media platforms may go a long way in increasing knowledge, reducing stigma and promoting inclusion and wellbeing of people living with Cerebral Palsy.
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