Psychosocial Burden among Family Caregivers of Schizophrenic Patients in Tertiary Care Hospital of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To assess the psychosocial burden of family caregivers of schizophrenic patients attending tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at psychiatric units of Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar from March 2019 to December 2019. Those family caregivers who had provided care to patients for at least 6 months were included. Psychological burden was assessed by using Zerit Burden Interview which included 22 questions, having options, 0 = Never, 1 = rarely, 2 = sometimes, 3 = quite frequently and 4 = nearly always. The scale categorizes psychological burden as 0-20 “no burden”, 21-40 “Mild to moderate” 41 to 60, “moderate to severe” and 61 to 80 “severe burden”. Results: 118 caregivers, the mean age was 42.25 ± 13.8 years. There were 61 (51.1%) males and 57 (48.3%) females. Severe burden was observed in 55 (46.6%) patients. Severe psychosocial burden was 3.75 times significantly higher among males as compared to females (aOR 3.75, 95% CI 1.05 – 13.38). Chances of severe psychosocial burden were 4.79 times significantly higher among caregivers having monthly income of ≤ 40,000 PKR as compared to caregivers having monthly income of >40,000 PKR (aOR 4.79, 95% CI 2.05 – 11.16). Lastly, severe psychosocial burden was 3.45 times significantly greater among unemployed caregivers as compared to employed caregivers (aOR 3.45, 95% CI 1.35 – 8.84). Conclusion: Majority of family caregivers experienced severe psychological burden. The higher psychosocial burden was identified among unemployed or low monthly income males.