Burden on Caregivers of Children Diagnosed With Cancer and Its Associated Effects at Kenyatta National Hospital.

Abstract

Background: Childhood cancers affect caregivers in various ways; physically, socially, psychologically and economically which lead to caregiver burden. Caregiver burden is still a challenge in the developing countries where little research has been done on the subject. Research has shown that parents of children with cancer suffer significant stress, loneliness, job loss, family conflict and reduced self-care during the time of care, in Kenyatta National Hospital approximately 1110 children aged between 0 and 12 years are diagnosed with cancer in annually. There is a great need to know how the caregivers of these children are affected. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the burden on caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer and its associated effects at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Methodology: In this cross sectional descriptive study a total number of 74 caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer and being hospitalized at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) were selected. Simple random sampling method was used to select the participants from the different pediatric wards. Caregiver burden was measured using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview scale/ tool (ZBI) and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on the social demographics of the caregivers and the children, economic status/concern and the psychosocial effects that influence caregiver burden. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS computer package, version 21. Chi square tests were used in a bi-variate analysis to assess how caregiver burden index varied among the demographic characteristics, economic and psychosocial effects. A P value less or = to 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance. Data was presented in textual, tables, bar graphs and pie-charts. Results: A total of 74 caregivers of children suffering from cancer admitted in Kenyatta National Hospital were involved in the study. Majority of the caregivers were mothers 73% (n= 54) of middle age 30-39 years. On average, the caregivers reported moderate to severe (58.6+/- 11.2 SD) caregiver burden. More than half 57% (n= 42) having severe caregiver burden and majority being women. Majority of the respondents95% (n= 70) reporting strain in finances as they cared for their children. Psychologically insertion of intravenous cannulas influenced caregiver burden among caregivers with a P-value of 0.028 Conclusion: The degree of caregiver burden among the study population as measured by the ZBI Scale was moderate to severe in majority of the respondents with an average score of 58.6 which is way too high than the normal 0-20. Recommendation: Using the findings of the study, health care providers need to formulate a holistic and family centered program considering the effects that increase caregiver burden.