{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Caregiver burden and its sociodemographic determinants in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending a psychiatric tertiary hospital in South Africa.
{Author}: Onyia CO;Lethole JS;Olorunfemi G;Ngene NC;
{Journal}: S Afr J Psychiatr
{Volume}: 30
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024
{Factor}: 1.242
{DOI}: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2252
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Chronic mental illnesses such as schizophrenia affect patients' functioning, making caregiving necessary although burdensome.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This study aimed to determine caregiver burden and its sociodemographic determinants in family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending a Psychiatric Outpatient Department (POD).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Tertiary hospital in Northern Pretoria, South Africa.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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, p = 0.006; and not having another family member that needs care aOR: 0.43, CI: 0.24-0.78.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>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.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Predicting total and severe caregiver burdens contemporaneously is effective for identifying potential burden interventions.