Family caregiver burden and associated factors among caregivers of people with mental illness attending outpatient treatment in public hospital in Eastern Ethiopia, Ethiopia: hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Abstract

To assess family caregiver burden and associated factors among caregivers of people with mental illness in Eastern Ethiopia. Cross-sectional study. Three hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. A total of 422 family caregivers of people with mental illness were recruited using systematic random sampling, of whom 417 participated (response rate 98.8%). Caregiver burden was assessed using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22). Linear regression was used to measure the associations between dependent and independent variables. The mean score of the ZBI was 47.971 (SD=14.539). In our study, factors associated with caregiver burden included age of caregivers (β=0.143, p=0.006), sex of the caregiver (β=0.121, p=0.007), time spent in providing care (β=0.194, p=0.006), presence of comorbid medical illness (β=0.309, p<i><</i>0.001), substance use in the last 12 months (β=0.265, p=0.024), perceived stigma (β=0.207, p<0.001), monthly income (β=-0.214, p=0.038), level of social support (β=-0.651, p=0.003) and family members in need of care (β=0.290, p<0.001). 89 (22.2%) of caregivers reported severe burden and 220 (52.8%) reported moderate-to-severe burden. Family caregivers play a critical role in the treatment of mental illness; there is a need to establish family caregiver support services, such as group therapy and psychoeducation.