Burden of care on family care givers of patients of gastrointestinal cancers in a tertiary care institute

Abstract

Abstract

Background

Gastrointestinal tract cancers are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally causing significant physical and mental suffering to not only the patient but also to the primary care giver. In the traditional Indian value system, family members become or are forced to become primary caregivers.

Method

The observational cross- sectional study was conducted using a pretested questionnaire and BSFC short form scale on 156 primary family care givers of patients suffering from and seeking treatment for cancer of the gastrointestinal tract from May 2021 to April 2022 in a tertiary care institute after taking approval from the Institutional Ethical Committee vide letter number SGRD/IEC/2021-04 dated 04/05/2021.

Result

Mean age of family caregiver was 48.6 (4.7) years and the majority were female 111 (71.1 %).  Average duration of primary care given was 2.62(1.24) years. 94 (60.2%) family care givers provided > 8hr duration of care. 103 (66%) of the family caregivers suffered from moderate burden, 39 (25%) from heavy burden and only 14 (8.97%) family caregivers considered burden as mild. Significant association was found between >8 hours of caregiving, caregiver having a comorbid illness, treatment outcome and financial distress borne during the course of treatment and burden of caregiving.

Conclusion

Burden of caregiving in the family caregivers of cases of gastrointestinal cancer has the capacity to create ripples in the primary life domains of the caregiver and needs to be looked into.

Key words: Family care giver, Burden, Cancer, Short version of burden scale for family caregiver