Investigation on children with acute non-communicable diseases and their caregivers in developing countries

Objective: To investigate children with acute non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their caregivers in developing countries. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three out of the ten regions of Ghana. A total of 1540 caregivers/parents of children with NCDs were interviewed. Data was analysed with the aid of IBM SPSS version 20. Statistical techniques used in the analysis included frequencies, means, SD and factor analysis. Findings were analysed according to the major themes of the study. Results: Caregivers indicated that the incidence of NCDs among children is on the increase. They also believed that enemies can cause diseases in children. Caregivers tend to seek treatment in hospitals/clinics rather than from traditional or herbal medicine. However, they complement biomedical treatment with prayers for healing/deliverance. It was also found that NCDs have a negative effect on the physical and mental development of children as well as their school performance; and caring for children with NCDs also poses material, emotional and financial burden to caregivers. Conclusions: Serious attention needs to be given to the development and implementation of policies to better the lot of children with NCDs. Conscious efforts need to be made to encourage and assist the caregivers with necessary resources to cater for their children's educational and health needs in particular.