World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

A STUDY TO ASSESS BURDEN AMONG CAREGIVERS OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING HEMODIALYSIS IN SELECTED TERTIARY HOSPITAL, MANGALURU

Mrs. Indumathi*, Ms. Christy Varghese

ABSTRACT

Aims: Identify the level of burden among caregivers of patients undergoing hemodialysis. Background: Patients
with hemodialysis for a longer period of time having an extended as well as most painful lifespan. The relatives of
such patients are also undergone with the distress and unpleasant events in their life. When comparing with dialysis
patient’s caregivers are most affected in their dialysis process. It may be due to financial instability or may be due
to distress.[1] Method: A Descriptive study design was adopted in order to assess the level of burden among 93
caregivers of hemodialysis patients in selected hospitals at Mangaluru. Non-Probability Purposive Sampling
Technique were used. Pilot study was conducted to find out the feasibility of the study. The tools used were
demographic proforma and Zarit burden interview (standardized). Data collected from the subjects were analyzed
by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study findings revealed that 48.4% caregivers have mild to
moderate burden. 26.9% have moderate to severe burden. 5.4% have no burden and 19.4% have severe burden.
Caregiver mean burden is 42.21 and standard deviation is 14.3.There was an association between caregiver
burden and selected demographic variables such as Care giver age, caregiver gender, availability of financial
support, present illness of the caregiver and duration of illness of patient which is significant at p< 0.05.
Conclusion: Research findings revealed that most of the caregivers of hemodialysis patients were having mild to
moderate burden. Implications for nursing: Implications of this study have a great influence regarding the
provision of comprehensive and holistic care not only to patients but also to the caregivers of the patients and the
nurse act as a mediator for the care associated with the outcome.

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