Establishing an informal mutual support group for carers of mentally Ill Patients: An exploratory survey from Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objectives: There are few, if any, support groups in Nigeria serving the needs of carers of mentally ill persons. The purpose of this study was to assess the need for a support group among carers of outpatients at a neuropsychiatric hospital in southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional one involving 120 respondents who had been primary carers for at least 6 months. Carers completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and a 25-item carer survey questionnaire. Results: Responses from 106 participants were analyzed. The majority of carers were female (n = 60, 56%) and 60.3% were aged 31–60 years. Ninety-four (88.6%) participants reported some degree of stress in caring for the care recipient. Eighty-five participants (80.2%) reported a need for a support service, whereas 84 (79.2%) were interested in joining a group that would enhance their caring role. A carer being female and a subjective need for some form of support were significantly associated with interest in joining a carer group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The survey found a need for the formation of a support group for carers of mentally ill persons. The female gender was identified as a significant factor to be emphasized in the operation of such a group, and information sharing was a key content.

Keywords

• Carers
• hospital
• Nigeria
• psychiatric
• survey