Main caretaker personal characteristics related to the perception of satisfaction of basic needs in the terminal ill patient

Abstract

Descriptive, trans-sectional, correlated study of the main caretaker (MC) for ill terminal patients, included in the Programme for Pain Allaying, Palliative Care Chillán. The study implied 170 patients, with a sample of 50 individuals. The aim was to determine the existing relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and health characteristics in MC, and the perception of satisfaction in basic needs of patient. A questionnaire prepared by the authors was applied between January and May 2004. Data processing were gathered according to Programme EpiInfo 6,0 and checked with Programme Infostast. Statistical tests of square Chi and Fisher Test were applied. The results were as followis: 62 % of the MC were around 41 years and older; 86 % of the MC were women; 52 % were single or with no steady-boyfriend or commonlaw-husband; 82 % were patient’s relatives; 66 % of MC have financial income less to Pesos 100.000; 94 % were aware of their patient’s prognosis; 80 % dedicated all their time to their patient’s care; 78 % of the patients were dependant. It was observed that the social and demographic variables and those of health when related to perception of satisfaction of basic needs had no statistical significance in this study.

Keywords

• Cuidador principal
• Enfermo terminal
• Necesidades básicas