Marimbe Bazondlile D, Cowan Frances, Kajawu Lazarus, Muchirahondo Florence, Lund Crick
Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe.
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, United Kingdom.
Afr J Disabil. 2016 Aug 24;5(1):209. doi: 10.4102/ajod.v5i1.209. eCollection 2016.
Mental health service resources are inadequate in low-income countries, and families are frequently expected to provide care for their relative with a mental disorder. However, research on the consequences of caregiving has been limited in low-income countries, including Zimbabwe.
The study explored the perceived impact of mental illness, reported coping strategies and reported needs of the family members of persons diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder or schizophrenia attending a psychiatric hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe.
A purposive sample of 31 family members participated in in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using standardised study guides. Participants were also screened for common mental disorders (CMDs) using the 14-item Shona Symptom Questionnaire. Qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo 8 qualitative data analysis software. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16) was used for descriptive quantitative data analysis.
Caregivers experienced physical, psychological, emotional, social and financial burdens associated with caregiving. They used both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies, depending on the ill family members' behaviours. Seeking spiritual assistance emerged as their most common way of coping. Twenty-one (68%) of the caregivers were at risk of CMDs (including three participants who were suicidal) and were referred to a psychiatrist for further management. Caregivers required support from healthcare professionals to help them cope better.
Caregivers of patients attending psychiatry hospitals in Zimbabwe carry a substantial and frequently unrecognised burden of caring for a family member with a mental disorder. Better support is needed from health professionals and social services to help them cope better. Further research is required to quantitatively measure caregiver burden and evaluate potential interventions in Zimbabwe.
低收入国家的心理健康服务资源不足，家庭常常被期望为患有精神障碍的亲属提供照料。然而，在包括津巴布韦在内的低收入国家，关于照料后果的研究一直有限。
本研究探讨了在津巴布韦哈拉雷一家精神病医院就诊的被诊断为双相情感障碍或精神分裂症患者的家庭成员所感知到的精神疾病影响、报告的应对策略以及报告的需求。
采用标准化研究指南，对31名家庭成员进行了有目的抽样，参与深度访谈和焦点小组讨论。还使用14项绍纳症状问卷对参与者进行常见精神障碍（CMD）筛查。使用NVivo 8定性数据分析软件对定性数据进行主题分析。使用社会科学统计软件包（SPSS 16版）进行描述性定量数据分析。
照料者经历了与照料相关的身体、心理、情感、社会和经济负担。他们根据患病家庭成员的行为，采用了以情绪为中心和以问题为中心的应对策略。寻求精神帮助成为他们最常见的应对方式。21名（68%）照料者有患CMD的风险（包括3名有自杀倾向的参与者），并被转介给精神科医生进行进一步治疗。照料者需要医疗专业人员的支持，以帮助他们更好地应对。
在津巴布韦精神病医院就诊的患者的照料者，在照顾患有精神障碍的家庭成员时承担着巨大且常常未被认识到的负担。需要卫生专业人员和社会服务提供更好的支持，以帮助他们更好地应对。需要进一步研究以定量测量照料者负担，并评估在津巴布韦的潜在干预措施。
