Abstract:
This study was descriptive research which aimed to investigate the service needs of caregivers of people with cerebral palsy, as well as correlation between those service needs and characteristics of caregivers and people with disabilities, in rural areas of Chaiyaphum province, Thailand. The research used both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The sample group was composed of 100 caregivers of people with cerebral palsy from 0-19 years old who had received some rehabilitation services at special education center in Chaiyaphum province. The 15 caregivers were interviewed by in-depth for qualitative analysis. Questionnaires were used to collect personal data, caregivers needs and to establish in-depth interview guidelines. Data was analyzed using mean, standard deviation, Pearsons product moment correlation, and multiple regression. The in-depth interview information was summarized and presented as narrative description. The overall mean score of service needs of caregivers was at a moderate level ( X = 3.12, S.D. = 0.43). The sections of service needs of caregivers included information, family and social support, financial and things, explaining to others, rehabilitation and child care. The results showed that an independent variable which was the number of siblings of people with cerebral palsy, was able to predict the service needs of caregivers (r = - 0.323, t = -3.383 , p < 0.001). The independent variables were caregiver characteristics (age, gender, education level, family income and number of sibling of people with cerebral palsy), and characteristics of people with cerebral palsy (age and level of severity). The recommendations gained from the research suggested that organizations related to service for people with disabilities should: 1) find the variety of ways to empower caregivers and family members to gain capacities, skills and awareness in order to facilitate rehabilitation ; 2) establish and support day care services for children with disabilities in the community ; 3) promote and develop vocational skills for caregivers so they can earn a living at home ; 4) encourage the formation at a group of caregivers of children with disabilities in the community. A comparative research on child rearing practice in families of children with progressive and non progressive development should also be done."