Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40063222›Full record

ArticleDiscover mental health2025

Caregiving for autistic children in Nigeria: experiences and challenges.

Albright Obinna Azubuike, Precious Chidozie Azubuike, Ayobami Oyekunle Afape, Michael Obule Enyam, Temidayo Akinreni, Uchenna Frank Imo, Miracle Nwadiche, Chimankpam Kingsley Ogbonna, Promise Nmesomachi Timothy, Eberechukwu Ruth Uchegbu and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Discover mental health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Caregiver Burden in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Insights from A Tertiary Hospital in West Africa.Nigerian medical journal : journal of the Nigeria Medical Association
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Albright Obinna AzubuikeDepartment of Human Psychology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Precious Chidozie AzubuikeDepartment of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria. precious.azubuikec@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6161-1548
Ayobami Oyekunle AfapeKaduna State Primary Health Care and Development Board, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Michael Obule EnyamDepartment of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Shreveport, USA.
Temidayo AkinreniHeidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6621-8200
Uchenna Frank ImoDepartment of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Miracle NwadicheDepartment of Human Psychology, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Chimankpam Kingsley OgbonnaDepartment of Public Health, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115, Calabar, Nigeria.
Promise Nmesomachi TimothyDepartment of Human Anatomy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Eberechukwu Ruth UchegbuDepartment of Public Health, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
George Sefa AdaiDepartment of Educational Research, Statistics, Measurement and Evaluation, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRaising autistic children poses a daunting task for their caregivers. Providing care may take a toll on caregivers' physical, psychological, social, and financial wellbeing. This study explored the experience of the responsibility of care among caregivers of autistic children in Nigeria and informed targeted psychosocial support interventions.

methodsThis phenomenology qualitative study was conducted among 103 caregivers in Cross River, Nigeria. The PREPARE tool was used for the data collection. Data were analyzed using the inductive and deductive approaches qualitatively, using NVivo software.

resultsStigma and misunderstanding of autism, emotional impact and acceptance, transportation and accessibility, lack of support networks, and balancing responsibilities and care responsibilities with personal commitments were the major challenges reported by our participants. These factors contributed to emotional strain, underscoring the complexities associated with caregiving experiences.

conclusionGiven the significant responsibilities of caregivers, targeted intervention must be taken to properly enlighten Nigerian societies on autistic people, and the need for acceptance. Key stakeholders must provide suitable healthcare facilities and resources for autistic people. Also, social support groups would help establish a sense of belonging and support.

Indexed as

Autistic PeopleCaregiversChildrenCross River StateEmotional distressNigeriaStigma

Identifiers

PMID40063222
PMCPMC11893948

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.