European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

It can be a difficult task to provide care to the patients living with mental health issues, especially with chronic diseases such as schizophrenia where the patient loses touch with reality.
Aim:
The aim of the research was to assess the level of perceived family burden, among the primary caregivers of chronic schizophrenia patients and socio-demographic correlates of caregiver's burden in schizophrenia. The study also evaluated the factors affecting the caregiver's burden.
Materials and Methods:
A descriptive research design was used for the study. The study population consisted of 100 primary caregivers of chronic schizophrenia patients who were attending the outpatient department of Government Erode Medical College Perundurai, Erode. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the samples. In order to collect the data, the tool comprised of socio-demographic variables, Burden Assessment Schedule of SCARF (BASS,1995) to assess the level of perceived family burden.
Results:
Mean age of patients was 29.7 SD (8.6) years. Of the 368 caregivers, 81.5% were parents, mean age was 58.1 years (SD 19.6). The result revealed that among the primary caregivers 48% are having mild burden, 36% of them are having moderate burden and 16% of them having severe burden. The association between the level of perceived family burden and demographic variables shows that age (c2=8.97), duration of illness (c2=7.69), and relationship with the patients (c2=7.44) are significantly associated with their level of burden. More aged, less income, duration of illness and wife group are having more burden than others.
Conclusion:
Caregivers of schizophrenia patients experience enormous burden and are potential “high risk group” for mental disorders. The caregivers should receive an adequate support for maintaining their own mental health. they should be provided support for maintaining their mental health. Particularly, vulnerable are females, elderly, low-income groups, and longer duration of care. They should be provided with adequate support.