Caregiver burden and its sociodemographic determinants in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending a psychiatric tertiary hospital in South Africa.

BACKGROUND

Chronic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia affect patients' functioning, making caregiving necessary although burdensome.

AIM

This study aimed to determine caregiver burden and its sociodemographic determinants in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending a Psychiatric Outpatient Department (POD).

SETTING

Tertiary hospital in Northern Pretoria, South Africa.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study conducted over 3 months, 300 consecutive family caregivers who attended the POD were administered a 22-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22), which has a score of 0-88, with higher values indicating more burden. Their sociodemographic characteristics were ascertained. Linear and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify determinants or predictors of total and severe burdens, respectively.

RESULTS

Most caregivers were aged 46.0 ± 14 years, females (62%), parents (39%), of low-income status (93.7%), had secondary education (70%), resided with the patient (87%), and helped with all troublesome activities (95.3%). The median ZBI-22 score was 19.0 (interquartile range: 13.0-30.5). The determinants of both total and severe burdens were: caregiver age ≥ 50 years adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.55, confidence interval (CI): 1.49-4.36; residential area farther away from the hospital aOR: 1.76, CI: 1.3-2.99; increasing months of caregiving aOR: 1.0, CI: 1.001-1.009, = 0.006; and not having another family member that needs care aOR: 0.43, CI: 0.24-0.78.

CONCLUSION

Having mental healthcare facilities close to residential areas and assisting caregivers aged ≥ 50 years who have multiple family members who need care may alleviate the burden.

CONTRIBUTION

Predicting total and severe caregiver burdens contemporaneously is effective for identifying potential burden interventions.