Caregiver profiles and determinants of caregiving burden in Ghana.

OBJECTIVES

Due to the growing elderly population, the high cost of care in Ghana and low coverage of the National Health Insurance Scheme, demands for family caregiving have become more imperative in Ghana than ever before. Many caregivers experience high burdens, yet literature on caregiving in Ghana is lacking. This study examined caregiver profiles and determinants of the burden of caregiving in Ghana.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This study used data from Wave 1 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (2007-2008). In total, 238 caregivers were analysed in the study. The burden of caregiving was measured using the WHO Impact of Caregiving Scale. Independent sample t-tests, correlations and analysis of variance were used to investigate associations between background characteristics and the burden of caregiving. Linear regression was used to examine determinants of the burden of caregiving.

RESULTS

The mean age of caregivers was 61 years (standard deviation 14.5), and the male:female ratio was approximately equal. On average, approximately two adults per household required care. Less than five percent of caregivers received financial, emotional, health, physical and personal care support. Place of residence, provision of financial, health and physical support to care recipients, and receipt of financial, physical and health support were significant determinants of the burden of caregiving.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found a mismatch between the number of people needing care and the number of people providing care. In order to improve the health of caregivers and care recipients, there is a need to provide financial support for caregivers. In addition, pro-caregiving government programmes and policies should be established.