Burden and Quality of Life Among Primary Caregiver of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Abstract

<i>Background</i>: Alcohol Dependence syndrome is one of the common psychiatric illnesses in the society. It not only affects the individual but also has major impact on the family members especially the primary caregiver. There are minimum studies regarding impact of the alcohol dependence patients on the primary caregiver in Nepal. The objective of this study was to study the burden and quality of life among primary caregiver of alcohol dependence syndrome. <i>Material and Methods</i>: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among the primary caregiver of alcohol dependent patient. This study is conducted in the in-patient and out-patient unit of Psychiatric Department of National Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Birgunj, Nepal. The total sample size was 123 taken by non-probability homogenous purposive sampling method. The diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome was made using International Classification of Disease-10 (ICD-10) criteria. The socio-demographic profile of alcohol dependence patients and their primary caregivers were assessed using semi-structured proforma. The burden and quality of life of the primary caregiver of the alcohol dependent patient were determined using Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life- BREF version. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS 21. <i>Result</i>: In this study, it was found that caregiver of Alcohol Dependence Syndrome patient faced moderate to severe burden according to the different domains of Family Burden Interview Schedule. In quality of life assessment, the mean score on perception of quality of life was 2.78 (±0.66) and the mean score on overall perception of health was 3.57 (±0.64). Similarly, the mean score on physical health was 23.40 (±3.04), the mean score on psychological health was 18.91 (±2.36), the mean score on social relationships was 10.63 (±1.39), the mean score on the environment was 25.58 (±2.80) which indicates the poorer quality of life in the caregiver of alcohol dependent patient. <i>Conclusion</i>: The study concluded that burden level on the primary caregiver of alcohol dependent patient was moderate to severe. The quality of life of the caregiver of alcohol dependent patient had poorer quality of life.