Caregiver burden among family members of patients diagnosed with cancer in Jimma medical center oncology unit, south west Ethiopia.

Abstract

Background Cancer is a type of disease defined by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, which can result in death. Globally, around 25 million people are surviving with it. The burden of cancer is growing in developing countries and it frequently comprises patient’s vitality. In addition, it has emotional, economical, physical and psychological burden on family, friends, significant others, community and other social resource. Objective To assess caregiver burden of cancer patients in Jimma medical center oncology unit, South west Ethiopia. Method An institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed. The study was done on 141 respondents using simple random sampling. A pretested semi structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The collected data was entered in to EPI data version 3.1 then transferred to SPSS version 23 for data analysis. Multivariable logistic regression model was fitted, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) at 95% confidence interval and p-value <0.05 were estimated to determine statistically association between predictors and outcome variables. Results The data were collected from the total of 141 respondents with 100% response rate. The mean ±SD age of cancer patients and care givers were 46.4 ±12.406 and 32 ± 11.23 years, respectively. The general level of caregiver burden in this study was mild to moderate (71.6%) with ZBI total score of 30 and by using CBI114 (80.9%) had some burden. Caregivers whose their age is greater than 40 years were 4.01 times more likely have high burden than those age between 20-40 old age [AOR=4.01, 95%CI (1.58, 10.17)]. Conclusion The study disclosed a moderate level of caregiver burden among family caregivers.