Caregivers knowledge on "aphasia" based on 'life participation approach to aphasia model; A Sri Lankan experience

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Caregiver knowledge on 'aphasia' is very important in successful rehabilitation of aphasic patients. There are no published data on this from Sri Lanka. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe knowledge on aphasia of caregivers caring post-stroke aphasia patients based on 'life participation approach to aphasia (LPAA) model. METHODS: We studied knowledge on aphasia of caregivers caring post-stroke aphasic patients at 3 state sector speech and language therapy clinics of Gampaha district from March to April 2019.Data on language & related impairments and communication & language environment were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. RESULTS: 35 caregivers (male-13 (37.1%), mean age 50.4 ± 16.8) caring aphasia patients for more than 1year were interviewed. All were close relatives of the patients. 77% had studied only up to grade-10. 64.7% knew the primary medical diagnosis and 60% knew the organ involved. However, 68.6% had never heard the term "aphasia". Only 51.4% appreciated aphasia is a language problem. 57% thought it is a memory problem while 14% thought it is a psychiatry problem. Caregivers' knowledge about expressive language was good; 79%, 92%, 96% knew the correct levels of speech, reading and writing skills of patients compared that identified by speech & language therapists (SLT). However, knowledge about comprehensive language was not satisfactory; 88.6% thought their clients can't obey comprehensive commands but it was 42% according to SLTs. CONCLUSION: Knowledge on aphasia of caregivers of this Sri Lankan cohort is not satisfactory. Formal education of caregivers seems a way forward in successful rehabilitation programs.