Browsing by Author "Saloojee, Gillian"

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    Akwenda Intervention Programme for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy in a Low-Resource Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for a Quasi-Randomised Controlled Study
    (BMJ open, 2021) Saloojee, Gillian; Ekwan, Francis; Andrews, Carin; Damiano, Diane L; Kakooza-Mwesige, Angelina; Forssberg, Hans
    Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common childhood-onset motor disorder accompanied by associated impairments, placing a heavy burden on families and health systems. Most children with CP live in low/middle-income countries with little access to rehabilitation services. This study will evaluate the Akwenda CP programme, a multidimensional intervention designed for low-resource settings and aiming at improving: (1) participation, motor function and daily activities for children with CP; (2) quality of life, stress and knowledge for caregivers; and (3) knowledge and attitudes towards children with CP in the communities.This quasi-randomised controlled clinical study will recruit children and youth with CP aged 2–23 years in a rural area of Uganda. Children will be allocated to one of two groups with at least 44 children in each group. Groups will be matched for age, sex and motor impairment. The intervention arm will receive a comprehensive, multidimensional programme over a period of 11 months comprising (1) caregiver-led training workshops, (2) therapist-led practical group sessions, (3) provision of technical assistive devices, (4) goal-directed training and (5) community communication and advocacy. The other group will receive usual care. The outcome of the intervention will be assessed before and after the intervention and will be measured at three levels: (1) child, (2) caregiver and (3) community. Standard analysis methods for randomised controlled trial will be used to compare groups. Retention of effects will be examined at 12-month follow-up.The study has been approved by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (SS 5173) and registered in accordance with WHO and ICMJE standards. Written informed consent will be obtained from caregivers. Results will be disseminated among participants and stakeholders through public engagement events, scientific reports and conference presentations.
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    Functioning and activity outcomes of the Akwenda Intervention Program for children and young adults with cerebral palsy in Uganda: A cluster-randomized trial
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2025-01) Asige, Elizabeth; Saloojee, Gillian; Andrews, Carin; Namaganda, Lukia H; Kakooza‐Mwesige, Angelina; Damiano, Diane L; Forssberg, Hans
    Aim To evaluate the efficacy of the Akwenda Intervention Program on motor, self-care, and social function of children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP). Method This was a cluster-randomized, controlled, single-blinded, intervention study of 100 participants with CP (2–23 years; 52 males) in rural eastern Uganda. Half were allocated to the intervention program, the remainder served as waitlist controls. Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and the Ugandan version of Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-UG) were collected before group allocation and after intervention. General linear models and t -tests were used to compare changes within and between groups. Cohen's d estimated the effect size of group differences. Change scores were evaluated by age and mobility subgroups. Results Significant group by time interactions were found for GMFM-66 ( p  =0.003) and PEDI-UG outcomes ( p  <0.001), except mobility, with the intervention group demonstrating greater changes. Both groups increased their scores on the GMFM-66 and child PEDI-UG, while only the intervention group had significant increases in caregiver assistance scores and across all age and mobility subgroups. Cohen's d showed large effect sizes ( d  >0.8) of differences for PEDI-UG outcomes except mobility. Interpretation The Akwenda Intervention Program had a large positive impact on functioning and activity across age and mobility levels.