ISSN 0189-1774
 
2024, Vol: 22, Issue: 1
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Original Article
Online Published: 19 Oct 2024
 


Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

C. C. ONUORAH, S. O. ORIJI, J. O. OMOAREGBA, F. O. AINA, P. O. EROHUBIE, O. D. ANAJE, P. O. NWANI.


Abstract
Background
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that imposes a substantial burden on caregivers of patients with the condition. There is a lack of research in sub-Saharan Africa assessing the burden of informal caregiving in epilepsy.

Aims
This study investigated caregiver burden among carers of people with epilepsy, focusing on its patterns, severity, correlates, and impact on caregiver quality of life.

Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 246 adult attendees (patients with epilepsy and their caregivers in a 1:1 ratio) at a neurology outpatient clinic. Patients aged 18 to 65, and their caregivers, who were at least 18 years old, were recruited consecutively. A socio-demographic questionnaire and the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale assessed demographics and illness severity, respectively. The socio-demographic questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview, and WHO Quality of Life-Bref scale were used to assess the carers’ demographics, burden of care, and quality of life, respectively.

Results
The mean burden score was 26.5 ± 13.3. Fifty-three caregivers (43.1%) reported a mild-to-moderate burden, while twenty-one (17.0%) reported moderate-to-severe and severe burdens. Caregiver burden was significantly negatively correlated with carers’ quality of life across almost all domains, with the strongest inverse correlation in the psychological domain (r = -0.4, p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant relationship between caregiver burden and respondents’ demographics or clinical variables, except for the epilepsy severity index of the patients (p = 0.01).

Conclusion
This study provides valuable insights into the burden of care experienced by family members of individuals with epilepsy, highlighting the negative impact on the caregivers' quality of life. Healthcare providers should focus not only on alleviating the suffering of patients with epilepsy but also consider the well-being of caregivers in their treatment plans.

Key words: caregiver burden, epilepsy, quality of life, seizure severity, carers.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

ONUORAH CC, ORIJI SO, OMOAREGBA JO, AINA FO, EROHUBIE PO, ANAJE OD, NWANI PO. Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. NJP. Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207

Web Style

ONUORAH CC, ORIJI SO, OMOAREGBA JO, AINA FO, EROHUBIE PO, ANAJE OD, NWANI PO. Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. https://nigerianjournalofpsychiatry.com/?mno=195207 [Access: December 16, 2024]. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

ONUORAH CC, ORIJI SO, OMOAREGBA JO, AINA FO, EROHUBIE PO, ANAJE OD, NWANI PO. Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. NJP. Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

ONUORAH CC, ORIJI SO, OMOAREGBA JO, AINA FO, EROHUBIE PO, ANAJE OD, NWANI PO. Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. NJP, [cited December 16, 2024]; Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


Harvard Style

ONUORAH, C. C., ORIJI, . S. O., OMOAREGBA, . J. O., AINA, . F. O., EROHUBIE, . P. O., ANAJE, . O. D. & NWANI, . P. O. (2024) Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. NJP, Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


Turabian Style

ONUORAH, C. C., S. O. ORIJI, J. O. OMOAREGBA, F. O. AINA, P. O. EROHUBIE, O. D. ANAJE, and P. O. NWANI. 2024. Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


Chicago Style

ONUORAH, C. C., S. O. ORIJI, J. O. OMOAREGBA, F. O. AINA, P. O. EROHUBIE, O. D. ANAJE, and P. O. NWANI. "Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

ONUORAH, C. C., S. O. ORIJI, J. O. OMOAREGBA, F. O. AINA, P. O. EROHUBIE, O. D. ANAJE, and P. O. NWANI. "Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. Web. 16 Dec 2024 doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

ONUORAH, C. C., ORIJI, . S. O., OMOAREGBA, . J. O., AINA, . F. O., EROHUBIE, . P. O., ANAJE, . O. D. & NWANI, . P. O. (2024) Caregiver Burden and Its Correlates in Caring for Adults With Epilepsy in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, Online First: 19 Oct, 2024. doi:10.5455/NJP.195207


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