Caregiver burden and its predictive factors in caregivers of children with chronic conditions

Abstract

Background: Few studies have been conducted on the burden of care in caregivers of children withchronic illnesses. This study investigated the burden of care and associated factors in first-degreecaregivers of children and adolescents with chronic conditions.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2017 on 385 first-degreecaregivers of children and adolescents with chronic disorders. Data were collected using the Zaritburden inventory which assesses the caregiver burden in physical, psychological, economic, andrelational areas and has a total score from 0 to 88. Scores 61-88, 41–60, 20–40, and severe, moderate, mild, and no burden. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square,Fisher’s exact tests, t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple regression analysis.Results: The mean age of the caregivers and children were 38.20±8.04 and 8.90±4.90 years, respectively.Also, 33 (8.5%), 135 (35.1%), and 181 (47%) of the caregivers suffered from severe, moderate, and mildburden, and only 9.4% perceived no burden. The mean caregiver burden scores were significantlydifferent in terms of their education (Psize (Ptype of supportive resources (P=0.004), and children’s education (Pnumbers of diseases (PConclusion: Caregivers of children and adolescents with chronic disease are under pressure. Our studyshowed a number of factors influencing caregiver burden. Health care providers should plan familycenteredcare plans to decrease the burden of care in caregivers of children with chronic conditions.

Keywords

• caregivers
• child
• chronic disease
• parents
• pressure