Abstract:
Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe and disabling mental disorder
that causes serious consequences for those with the illness, as well as those
who care for them. It has significant physical, emotional and socio-economic
costs for those with the condition as well as their families.
Objectives of the study: To explore the socio-demographic picture of the
caregivers of PWS in Bangladesh, explore the level of burden of caregivers,
identify the caregiver‟s burden in the relationship, emotional well-being, social
and family life, finances and loss of control over one's life and determine the
association between age, sex, occupation, relation, duration of care giving and
level of care giving
Methodology: The study conducted through cross-sectional design among 121
participants who were selected from National Institute of Mental Health by a
structure questionnaire with face to face interview. Data was analyzed by using
Statistical Package for social science.
Result and Discussion: After analyzing data, it was found that most of the
caregivers (63.6%) of PWS faced moderate to severe level of burden and in
terms of all five domains. Most of the caregivers faced with also moderate to
severe burden about Burden in the relationship (65.3%), Emotional wellbeing
(57.9%), Social and family life (42.1%), Finances (38.8%) and Loss of control
over one's life (63.6%). Caregivers‟ burden level was significantly associated
with caregiver characteristics: Sex (P <0.001), relationship with patient
(P <0.000), care giving duration (P <0.030). Female caregivers who were
housewives, mother in relationship with the PWS giving long duration of care
exhibit severe burden.
Conclusion: The study findings will be helpful for occupational therapists to
know the situation of care given to Schizophrenic Patient in Bangladeshi
perspective and in future caregiver will be benefited to reduce burden as much
as possible. Occupational therapists have an important role to promote a better
social and psychological support for quality life of caregiver and PWS.
Key words: Burden, Caregiver, NIMH, Patient with schizophrenia
Description:
This dissertation is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Occupational therapy, Bangladesh Health Professions Institute, Faculty of Medicine, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
