Influences of Stigma Messages on Caregivers’ Intentions to Seek Health Services for Persons with Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study of Njeri Maria Foundation, Kikuyu Town, Kiambu County.

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to determine the influences of stigma messages on caregivers’ intentions to seek health services for the persons with cerebral palsy (CP) in Njeri Maria Foundation, Kikuyu Town, Kiambu County. Specifically, the study sought to assess the messages contents (label, mark, responsibility and peril) in communication of stigma associated with CP, to examine the prevailing attitudes of caregivers of persons with CP towards stigma communication messages and to establish the influences of stigma messages on caregivers’ intentions to pursue needed health interventions for their dependents. The study was guided by the Stigma Communication Theory (SCT) and Meisenbach’s Stigma Communication Management Theory (SCMT). A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The target population was caregivers of persons living with CP in Kikuyu, Kiambu County. The study targeted forty caregivers of persons with CP in Njeri Maria Foundation in Kikuyu town, Kiambu County in Kenya. The study used purposive sampling approach to sample fifteen caregivers eligible based on the inclusion criteria. The research was based on primary research data, which was gathered through interviews as well as Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The data collected was analyzed using thematic analysis where it was coded, summarized and grouped to assign values to the responses to the data collected, establish the emerging patterns and themes. The study findings revealed that stigma messages that included marks, peril and responsibility had a significant impact on intentions to seek health services for the persons with CP. Findings also revealed that the content of stigma messages that included labels did not significantly impact the intentions by caregivers to seek health services for the persons with CP. Findings further revealed that stigma messages significantly impacted caregivers' emotional well-being, causing feelings of isolation, frustration, and helplessness, further findings pointed to negative and positive effects on caregivers’ intentions to seek health interventions. The researcher recommended that stakeholders should organize community workshops and seminars to educate the public about CP, aiming to dispel myths and reduce stigma. Additionally, the researcher suggested implementation of mandatory sensitivity and awareness training programs for all healthcare providers that should cover the medical aspects of CP, empathetic communication, and the importance of early intervention. The study also recommended that the government should also enact legislation to protect the employment rights of caregivers. Further research can be done on the influence of stigma messages on the persons with CP offering a different approach to understand the influences of stigma messages.