Pofile of and caregiver experiences of infants with Obstetric ERB'S palsy treated at a tertiary institution
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Date
2016
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Background: Erb's Palsy results from excessive displacement of the head during birth causing
traction on the Brachial plexus. In order to define optimal management for Erb's Palsy, reliable
data is needed. Aim: The aim of the study was therefore to determine the profile of and caregiver
experiences of infants with Erb's Palsy seen at Groote Schuur Hospital. Method: The study was
carried out at Groote Schuur Hospital (GHS) in the Western Cape, South Africa. The study used
both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A record review was conducted to collect
quantitative data which was retrieved from patient files and captured on a data extraction sheet.
A convenient sample of caregivers of children with Erb's Palsy were recruited and interviewed
for the qualitative component of the study. Quantitative data was analyzed and presented in
tables, figures and qualitative data was analyzed thematic and presented narratively. Ethical
approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the University of the Western Cape and the
University of Cape Town. In addition, permission was obtained from the hospital management.
Results: The total sample size for the quantitative part was ninety-six (96) files of children with
Erb's Palsy. The mean age of the study sample was 3.8 months. The majority (53.1%) of the
participants received a mean of 4.1 (SD=1.7) physiotherapy session. In the qualitative phase
eight participants were interviewed. Analysis of qualitative data yielded three themes including
"experience of mothers as it relates to Erb's Palsy", "mothers' engagement with health care
providers" and "personal and environmental factors". Conclusion: The study within this setting
indicated that Erb's Palsy was most common among females. The most common documented
forms of physiotherapy techniques provided for children with Erb's Palsy in setting were
stretching and strengthening exercises as well as therapeutic massage. exercise. Caring for a
child with Erb's Palsy resulted in emotional challenges experienced by the mothers of these
children.
Description
Masters of Science - Msc (Physiotherapy)