The burden and psychosocial impact on immediate caregivers of patients with spinal cord injury in a tertiary health facility, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the burden and psychosocial impact of spinal cord injury on the immediate caregivers at a tertiary health facility in Benin City, Edo State. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted among 73 family caregivers in the neurological ward of a tertiary health facility using a structured questionnaire as instrument of data collection. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. Results: Findings revealed that an overall mean of 2.73 indicates that the burden on the caregivers was moderate with a moderate psychological impact (m = 2.88) and a high sociological impact (m = 3.12). Factors affecting the caregiving provided by immediate caregivers include social and household responsibilities (94.5%), financial situation (89.0%), family support (83.6%), and health status of the caregiver (80.8%). Age (odds ratio [OR] = 5.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23–27.17, P = 0.027), education (OR = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.05–13.39, P = 0.041), and “others” (spouses, siblings, friends, or extended family members) (OR = 3.167, 95% CI: 1.583–6.337, P = 0.001) were predictors for high psychological impact while education (OR = 0.074; 95% CI: 0.015–0.370, P = 0.001) and caregiving role (OR = 3.167; 95% CI: 0. 1.583–6.337, P = 0.001) high sociological impact. Conclusion: Majority of the caregivers experience moderate burden, moderate psychological impact, and high sociological impact. Understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted interventions and support services to address the unique needs of caregivers and mitigate the burden of caregiving on their psychosocial health.

Keywords

• burden
• caregivers
• predictors of psychosocial impact
• psychological impact
• sociological impact
• spinal cord injury