Abstract

Sharma B.*, Bajracharya Shanti, Ban Rita, Pant Sarita and Adhikari Sarita

ABSTRACT

Background: Caregiver burden is the strain or load borne by a person who cares for a chronically ill, disabled, or elderly family member. This study aims to assess the perceived burden among the caregiver of end stage renal disease patient undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was commenced in 296 caregiver of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patient undergoing hemodialysis. The Zarit Burden Interview was used to assess the perceived burden among caregivers attending Kidney Centre using convenient sampling technique maintaining their privacy of data. Data was analysed by means of SPSS version 20 using descriptive as well as inferential statistics. Results: Majority of caregivers were ?35 years, 52.4%, employed 55.7%, married 78.4%, existing health problem 84.5% and were spouse 41.9% of the patient. Similarly, the majority of 51.4% patients were ?44 years, 63.5% male, 58.1% unemployed, 82.8% married, almost all 91.9% had comorbidity and 56.4% had dialysis done for ? 24 months. Around one third 34.5% had little or no burden while remaining 65.5% had perceived burden ranging from mild to severe level. The caregiver level of burden is statistically significant with caregiver age (p=0.018), caregiver existing health problem (p=0.027), relationship with patient (p=0.031), patient age (p=0.040), patient sex (p=0.024), and patient comorbidity (p=0.003). Conclusion: The majority of caregiver had perceived mild to severe level of burden. There should be counselling and support system from concerned authority to alleviate caregiver burden.