Factors Contributing to the Burden of Family Caregivers of Surgical Patients

Background: Family caregivers providing support to surgical patients may bear substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens. The objective of this study was to measure the burden on family caregivers caring for surgical patients and the factors that contribute to this burden. Materials and...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ochei Oboratare, Ejiroghene Christline, Onomuighokpo Hillary Onome, Onodua Kindness Ogheneruona, Onyeogo Deborah Isioma, Omofuoma Daniel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Surgical Society of Kenya 2025-07-01
Series:The Annals of African Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.annalsofafricansurgery.com/factors-contributing-to-the-burden-of-family-caregivers
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Summary:Background: Family caregivers providing support to surgical patients may bear substantial physical, emotional, and financial burdens. The objective of this study was to measure the burden on family caregivers caring for surgical patients and the factors that contribute to this burden. Materials and methods: The study population comprised patients that had surgery and their caregivers in two major hospitals in Delta State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study design was used, and data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data obtained were entered and analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics for Windows, version 26.0. All variables were summarized using descriptive statistics, while inferential statistics (analysis of covariates, Pearson’s correlation coefficient test, and analysis of variance) were used to ascertain the contributing factors to caregiver burden. Results: Less than one-tenth (18 [3.8%]) of the caregivers experienced a severe level of burden. Patients’ marital status, presence of comorbidity, type of surgery, severity of illness, and age were factors contributing to family caregiver burden. Conclusion: Findings from the study revealed that the family caregiver burden is notably low, and this could be attributed to the prevailing family-centric culture in many communities in Nigeria where family members share each other’s burden.
ISSN:1999-9674
2523-0816