Interventions to support the mental health of family carers of children with brain injury in low and middle income countries: a scoping review

TL;DR

This review finds a lack of mental health interventions for family carers of children with brain injuries in low and middle income countries.

Contribution

The study highlights the absence of targeted mental health support for caregivers in low-resource settings.

Findings

Only one study met the criteria, focusing on a brain injury called nodding syndrome in Sub-Saharan Africa.

No study solely addressed mental health support for family carers of children with brain injuries in LMIC.

There is a critical need for programs to support caregivers' mental health to improve child outcomes.

Abstract

To review the international evidence base on interventions to support the mental health of family carers of children with brain injuries in low and middle income countries (LMIC).

Searches were conducted with five electronic databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL) using search terms related to “family carers”, “brain injury”, “children” and “low and middle income countries”. Studies were independently screened using predetermined eligibility criteria by two authors. Data were extracted from included studies using standardised data extraction and quality appraisal tools. These data were then subjected to narrative synthesis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to govern the review process.

One study met our inclusion criteria and described an acquired brain injury called nodding syndrome which occurs in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study was conducted in Ghana and provided group-based psychotherapy to carers and their children. As such we found no study which sought to solely support the mental health of family carers.

There has been a lack of focus in the literature on the mental health of family carers of children with brain injuries in LMIC. Considering the vital importance of caregivers in supporting their children it is imperative that service providers and researchers devise programmes to better meet their needs. The mental health of family carers should be better supported to improve their overall wellbeing, which will in turn improve the wellbeing of their children.

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