Burden of Informal Caregivers from an HHC Military Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study examines the burden experienced by informal caregivers at a Saudi military hospital, finding that caregivers of chronic and dementia patients face the highest levels of stress.

Contribution

The study identifies specific patient conditions and caregiver characteristics associated with significant caregiver burden in a Saudi healthcare context.

Findings

Caregivers of chronic patients had the highest mean Zarit Burden Interview score of 38.28.

Duration of care, education level, relationship with the patient, and unemployment were significantly associated with caregiver burden.

The overall mean Zarit Burden Interview score among all caregivers was 31.66, indicating significant burden.

Abstract

(1) Background: Home health care (HHC) services guarantee good patient care and family support. Understanding how we can better help our informal caregivers (ICs) by understanding their needs and the burden they experience is crucial. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September 2024 at an HHC facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 22-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22) was used to assess the caregiver burden (CB). ICs of patients with specific diseases (palliative, cancer, chronic, and dementia patients) and other factors were studied to identify any association with informal caregiver burden (ICB). (3) Results: Significant CB was defined as ZBI ≥ 21. The IC (384) participants comprised 119 caregivers of dementia patients, 104 caregivers of chronic patients, 83 caregivers of palliative patients, and 78 caregivers of cancer patients. The total mean of the ZBI-22 score among ICs was 31.66, representing a significant CB. The means by groups were as follows: chronic patients, 38.28; dementia patients, 34.97; cancer patients, 25.21; and palliative patients, 22.94. Other variables, such as the duration of care, education level, relationship with the patient, and unemployment, were associated with CB (p-value < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: The caregivers’ characteristics and the patients’ disease were associated with significant CB. More interventions from healthcare workers to support ICs are essential to release their burden.

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