Role of the Caregiver in Trujillo, Peru: An Evaluation of the Cost of Caring for the Disabled

Background: The Catholic Medical Mission Board and the Peruvian Ministry of Health collaborated to carry out a baseline evaluation of the disabled population and their caregivers in the Bellavista Sector, District of La Esperanza, Trujillo, Peru. The results from the baseline evaluation were used to implement a community based rehabilitation program for children living with disabilities. 

Methods: CMMB Peru conducted interviews with 189 disabled persons, including 142 adults and 47 children.  The survey tool was developed based on the “National Health Interview Survey – Disabilities” from the USA.  Sections included in the survey included demography, home environment, transportation, social activities, work history, social services and medical technology available, functionality, support activities, other services, limitations, and opinions and actions of health.  The tool for children also included questions about education and the caregiver. The tool was pilot tested through 35 interviews and was modified accordingly.   

Results: In 42% of cases, there is only one caregiver.  36% of the caregivers had to stop working to take care of a child with a disability.  One-third of the caregivers report being frequently depressed.  72% of caregivers have no centers to drop off their children.  78% have support group that is available to them.  10% of the children do not attend school because children with special needs are not accepted. Three-quarters of the disabled children require constant attention. 

Conclusions: Caregivers must be a focus of services for the disabled population as they are critical to ensuring the health and safety of those living with disabilities.