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1. Caregiver Burden in Relatives of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Cross Sectional Study at Government Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College Sialkot
Rana Mozammil Shamsher Khan1, Muhammad Qasim Butt1, Ansar Latif2 and alsoom Nawaz1
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of the current study was to assess caregiver burden in relatives of patients with schizophrenia.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences Govt. KMS Medical College Sialkot, Pakistan from March to May 2016.
Materials and Methods: 100 adult consenting patients of schizophrenia and their primary care givers coming to OPD were included through non-probability convenience sampling technique after psychiatric assessment. Demographic information was recorded. Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was administered to the caregivers to assess burden. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 21.
Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 41.17+12.37 years with range from 18-63 years. The mean age of patients was 31.89+10.11 years with age range of 18-62 years. There were 50 (50%) males and 50 (50%) females as caregivers. Out of the 100 caregivers 45 (45%) had no burden. 20 (20%) had mild to moderate burden, 26 (26%) had moderate to severe burden while 9 (9%) had severe burden. The mean caregiver burden was 45.23+11.37 on ZBI. 48% males and 62% females were experiencing burden. 33% of the caregivers above 40 years of age had burden as compared to 22% of the caregivers with age below 40 years. It was equal (24%) in single and married caregivers. Caregivers with lower income and education had more burden.
Conclusion: 55% of the relatives of patients with schizophrenia were experiencing caregiver burden. Caregivers with female gender, older age, lower educational and economic status were experiencing more burden. Key Words: Caregiver burden, schizophrenia, psychiatric outpatients
Citation of article: Khan RMS, Butt MQ, Latif A, Nawaz K. Caregiver Burden in Relatives of Patients with Schizophrenia: A Cross Sectional Study at Government Khawaja Muhammad Safdar Medical College Sialkot. Med Forum 2017;28(6):2-5.