Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana; Ga South Municipal Hospital-Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.
Department of Public Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG 25, Legon, Accra, Ghana; Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) School of Public Service and Governance, Ghana.
J Pediatr Nurs. 2024 May-Jun;76:23-29. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.01.029. Epub 2024 Feb 6.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition commonly characterized by challenges with social interaction, repetitive atypical behaviour, and restricted interest. It is estimated that about 1 in 160 children has ASD. Caring for children with ASD is challenging for many parents or caregivers.
The study aims at exploring the challenges experienced by caregivers of children with ASD.
A qualitative phenomenological study was employed using an exploratory descriptive research design. A total of 10 participants were recruited in this study using a purposive sampling technique. Data were analysed using content analysis procedures.
Caregivers of children with ASD face social, financial, and emotional challenges, challenges in accessing health care, education and training of their children in mainstream school settings.
The numerous challenges have implications for the quality of life of the caregivers and their children. The financial challenges and inaccessibility of specialist health services have serious implications for the continuous medical care and monitoring of children with ASD. The challenges in education and training of children with ASD has negative consequences for enrolment and retention of children with ASD in mainstream school settings.
自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种常见的病症，通常表现为社交互动困难、行为刻板重复、兴趣狭隘。据估计，每 160 名儿童中就有 1 名患有 ASD。照顾 ASD 儿童对许多父母或照顾者来说是一个挑战。
本研究旨在探讨 ASD 儿童照顾者所面临的挑战。
采用质性现象学研究方法，采用探索性描述性研究设计。本研究采用目的抽样技术，共招募了 10 名参与者。使用内容分析程序对数据进行分析。
ASD 儿童的照顾者面临社会、经济和情感方面的挑战，在主流学校环境中为孩子获得医疗保健、教育和培训方面存在挑战。
这些挑战对照顾者及其孩子的生活质量产生影响。经济方面的挑战和专业医疗服务的不可及性，对 ASD 儿童的持续医疗护理和监测产生严重影响。在 ASD 儿童的教育和培训方面的挑战，对 ASD 儿童在主流学校环境中的入学和留级产生负面影响。
