ABSTRACT
Background
Caregivers of children with developmental disabilities (DD) often face unmet needs that affect caregiving. This study explored the needs of such caregivers.
Methods
A descriptive qualitative design was employed for this study. Caregivers of children with DD attending the Neurodevelopmental Clinic at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital were purposively selected. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews until saturation was achieved with fourteen (14) participants. The interviews were conducted between October 2021 and January 2022, and data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes emerged: informational and training support, financial support, psychospiritual support and social support needs. Caregivers required comprehensive information and practical skills, financial assistance to meet care demands, psychological counselling and spiritual guidance to strengthen resilience and support from family, friends and community networks to ease caregiving burdens.
Conclusion
Caregivers of children with DD have diverse unmet needs. Policies and programmes addressing these needs are essential to improve caregiver well-being and quality of life.