Subjective Burden on Family Carers of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background:\rHemodialysis (HD) is an important objective burden (task) on patient with end\rstage renal disease (ESRD) and the caregiver has a subjective burden which contributes\rto lifestyle changes, which result in depression, anxiety declining physical health,\rsocial isolation and financial strain. Aim: To evaluate the subjective burden\ron family caregiver who cares patient on maintenance hemodialysis therapy. Methods:\rFifty main family caregivers for each patient on HD and the instrument were\rused by Caregiver Burden Interview (CBI) completed by caregiver as a major of\rsubjective response to care giving. Results: The present study findings\rdemonstrated that main age of caregiver was 40 (11.0) years, two thirds of females,\rand they were mostly married (78.0%) with children. The total family caregiver\rburden reported was 43.3 (21.7), role strain 50.0 (25.4) and the personal\rstrain 39.5 (19.7). The total caregivers’ burden significantly positively\rcorrelated with the patients’ age (r = 0.461) and negatively correlated with\rpatients’ level of education (r = ?0.290). Moreover the role strain, personal\rstrain and total caregiver burden scores were statistically and significantly\rnegatively correlated with their age (r = ?0.444) and level of education (r = ?0.416)\rand the total burden scores were ranked as moderately to severely burdened all\rfamily caregivers. Conclusion: Caregivers’ appraisal, coping strategies,\rinterpersonal relationship issues, and social support would need to be\rconsidered for caregivers of patients maintained on HD.