Subjective Burden on Family Carers of Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) is an important objective burden (task) on patient with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and the caregiver has a subjective burden which contributes to lifestyle changes, which result in depression, anxiety declining physical health, social isolation and finan-cial strain. Aim: To evaluate the subjective burden on family caregiver who cares patient on main-tenance hemodialysis therapy. Methods: Fifty main family caregivers for each patient on HD and the instrument were used by Caregiver Burden Interview (CBI) completed by caregiver as a major of subjective response to care giving. Results: The present study findings demonstrated that main age of caregiver was 40 (11.0) years, two thirds of females, and they were mostly married (78.0%) with children. The total family caregiver burden reported was 43.3 (21.7), role strain 50.0 (25.4) and the personal strain 39.5 (19.7). The total caregivers ’ burden significantly positively correlated with the patients ’ age (r = 0.461) and negatively correlated with patients ’ level of education (r = −0.290). Moreover the role strain, personal strain and total caregiver burden scores were statisti-cally and significantly negatively correlated with their age (r = −0.444) and level of education (r = −0.416) and the total burden scores were ranked as moderately to severely burdened all famil