Level of caregiver burden : a study on caregivers of stroke survivors at CRP in Bangladesh

Abstract

Aim/Objectives of the study: The study identified the level of burden among caregivers of stroke survivors at CRP in Bangladesh. Beside it also found the level of burden of caregiver of stroke survivor about general strain, isolation, disappointment, emotional involvement and environment and also found out the association in between level of caregiver burden and caregiver’s age, sex, occupation, relationship with stroke survivors & stroke survivor’s onset of stroke and caregiving duration. Method: The study conducted through Cross-sectional design among 151 participants who were selected from occupational therapy outdoor and stroke rehab unit, CRP (Savar & Mirpur) by a structure questionnaire with face to face interview. Main Outcome Measure: Caregiver Burden Scale Results: Most of the caregivers (78.8%) of stroke survivors faced with moderate level of burden and in terms of domain most of the caregiver faced with moderate burden about general strain (58.9%), isolation (63.6%) where faced higher burden about disappointment (60.3%) and lower burden about emotional involvement (59.6%) and environment (78.8%). Caregiver burden level was significantly associated to caregiver characteristics: age (P=0.006), sex (P=0.002), occupation (p= 0.04), relationship with stroke survivors (P=0.02), caregiving duration (P=0.000), and caregiving hours (P=0.009), and onset of stroke (P=0.000) of stroke survivors. Female caregivers who were housewives, wife and daughter in relationship with stroke survivors giving long duration of care exhibit higher burden. Conclusion: The result will help the occupational therapists to know the situation of caregiving of stroke survivors in Bangladeshi content and in future caregiver will be benefited to reduce stress and a significant advice about maintaining their family role and occupational therapists have an important role to promote a better social and psychological support for quality life of caregiver and stroke survivors.