Prevalence and determinant of psychological impact on informal caregivers in extended care centers, Jeddah 2019

Abstract

Introduction: The caregivers of extended-care-patient have many responsibilities, and they are staying for a long period in the extended medical care facilities, which may lead to the psychological impact on them. Such a psychological impact varies from emotional stress to significant depressive symptoms and anxiety. The main purpose of the study is to recognize and address the psychological status of the caregivers and its determinants, to highlight the magnitude of the prevalence, and identify the determinants of psychological impact on caregivers in private extended care patients. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study design, which was conducted in the International Extended Care Centre (IEC), and the Extended Care Center affiliated to King Fahd General Hospital (KFGH). Both of them are located in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. The total sample size was 42 informal caregivers. Depression Anxiety Stress Scale DASS-21 (Arabic version) questionnaire was used for data collection. Results and conclusion: The most common Psychological disorder was anxiety, 59.5%, followed by depression 55%, and stress 38%. In preparing informal caregivers in extended care facilities to cope with this extraordinary mission, it is recommended to conduct more studies in different parts of Saudi Arabia with larger sample size focusing on factors that have a psychological impact on caregivers. Moreover, in order to intervene early to detect and manage the caregivers and improve their quality of life, a detailed plan should be created to reduce these psychological impacts. Keywords: Informal caregivers, Psychological impact, Prevalence, determinant, Extended care center, DASS 21.