Disability-inclusive reproductive healthcare: A reproductive health education intervention for caregivers of girls with cerebral palsy in India.

OBJECTIVE

Girls with Cerebral Palsy (GCP) face unique difficulties during adolescence, particularly related to menstruation and reproductive health, which are compounded by caregivers' limited knowledge and preparedness. Educating caregivers may improve the management of menstrual and reproductive health concerns in GCP. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the effect of a Reproductive Health Education (RHE) intervention on knowledge and reproductive health-related caregiving intentions among caregivers of GCP in India.

STUDY

DESIGN

A single-arm pre-test-post-test pilot intervention study.

METHODS

The study was conducted among caregivers of GCP attending a weekly CP clinic at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Participants were recruited consecutively within a predefined time frame. The intervention consisted of a one-on-one education session, guided by a validated Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material. Knowledge and reproductive health-related caregiving intention were assessed before and 3 months after the intervention using a structured questionnaire. Paired t-tests were used to compare outcomes before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 25 caregivers were included. A significant improvement in both knowledge and caregiving intention was observed following the intervention. Mean knowledge score increased from 41.2 ± 4.66 to 62.3 ± 1.77 (p < 0.001, 95% CI of mean difference = 19.5-22.7), and the mean caregiving intention score rose from 41.2 ± 4.02 to 57.6 ± 1.78 (p < 0.001, 95%CI of mean difference = 15.1 -17.7). The corresponding paired Cohen's d value was larger (Cohen's d = 5.43 for knowledge; 5.22 for caregiving intention).

CONCLUSION

The study provides preliminary evidence on the effect of a brief tailored RHE intervention on knowledge and reproductive health-related caregiving intention among caregivers of GCP. Causal inference is limited by the single-arm design of the study.