Burden of caregivers of the elderly with chronic illnesses and their associated factors in an urban setting in Malaysia

Suriawati, Ghazali and Ayu Sulaini, Jusoh and Aniza, Abd Aziz (2015) Burden of caregivers of the elderly with chronic illnesses and their associated factors in an urban setting in Malaysia. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 15 (1). pp. 1-9. ISSN 16750306

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Abstract

The burden faced by caregivers undertaking caregiving responsibilities may affect their health. This study aims to determine the burden of caregivers of elderly with chronic illness based on caregivers’ sociodemographic, experience and elderly dependence level. A cross-sectional study involving 166 caregivers of elderly with chronic illness was conducted at the outpatient medical clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia. The Barthel’s Index (BI) of Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scale was used to assess the degree of physical care required by the elderly with chronic illnesses. Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) Scale was used to assess the level of burden of caregivers. Descriptive statistics was used to determine the sociodemographic characteristics of caregiver and the level of elderly dependency. Chi-square test and Multivariable logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with the level of burden among caregivers. About two third (67.5%) of the elderly suffered medium to high range of functional disabilities; 38.0% were partially dependent and 29.5% were dependent. Almost one fifth (21.7%) of caregivers experienced high level of burden, especially time-dependent burden followed by physical and emotional burden. Caregivers who were employed and served more than 14 hours of caregiving have more than three times greater burden. Additionally, caregiving for elderly with greater functional dependence were seven times more burden. Level of caregivers’ burden in local urban population in Malaysia was lower than other studies in Asia. Employed caregivers, long duration of caregiving per day and functionally dependent care were significant for caregivers burden. Results highlighted that that health care provider should consider these factors when planning interventions to alleviate the burden.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: caregiver burden, elderly dependency, chronic illness
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine
Depositing User: Syahmi Manaf
Date Deposited: 13 Sep 2022 04:35
Last Modified: 13 Sep 2022 04:35
URI: http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/id/eprint/6233

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