Lukhmana S, Bhasin S K, Chhabra P, Bhatia M S
Department of Community Medicine, UCMS and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India.
Indian J Cancer. 2015 Jan-Mar;52(1):146-51. doi: 10.4103/0019-509X.175584.
A large number of patients with chronic diseases like, cancer are cared for in homes by the family members in India. The vital role that these family members play as "caregivers" is well recognized, however, the burden on them is poorly understood.
To assess burden and to determine the predictors of burden on family caregivers of cancer patients.
A cross-sectional, hospital based study conducted in National Capital Territory of Delhi.
200 family caregivers of cancer patients were selected by systematic random sampling and interviewed using standard, validated Hindi version of Zarit Burden Interview.
Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (version 17.0).
The study population consisted of 90 (45%) males and 110 (55%) female caregivers aged 18-65 years. 113 (56.5%) caregivers reported no or minimal burden while 75 (37.5%) caregivers reported mild to moderate burden. Using logistic regression marital status, education and type of family of caregivers, occupation of cancer patients and type of treatment facility were found to be the predictors of burden on caregivers.
In view of the substantial burden on family caregivers coupled with lack of adequate number of cancer hospitals, there is a public-health imperative to recognize this important group. All levels of health-staff in cancer hospitals in developing countries should be sensitized to the various burdens faced by family caregivers.
在印度，大量患有诸如癌症等慢性病的患者由家庭成员在家中照料。这些家庭成员作为“照料者”所发挥的重要作用已得到充分认可，然而，他们所承受的负担却鲜为人知。
评估负担并确定癌症患者家庭照料者负担的预测因素。
在德里国家首都辖区进行的一项基于医院的横断面研究。
通过系统随机抽样选取200名癌症患者的家庭照料者，并使用经过验证的标准印地语版扎里特负担访谈量表进行访谈。
使用社会科学统计软件包（版本17.0）进行单变量分析和多变量逻辑回归分析。
研究人群包括90名（45%）年龄在18 - 65岁的男性照料者和110名（55%）女性照料者。113名（56.5%）照料者报告无负担或负担极小，而75名（37.5%）照料者报告有轻度至中度负担。通过逻辑回归分析发现，照料者的婚姻状况、教育程度、家庭类型、癌症患者的职业以及治疗机构类型是照料者负担的预测因素。
鉴于家庭照料者负担沉重，且癌症医院数量不足，认识到这一重要群体具有公共卫生紧迫性。发展中国家癌症医院的各级医护人员都应提高对家庭照料者所面临各种负担的认识。
