The Burden and Perceived Stress on Family Caregivers of Patients With Orofacial Cleft Deformities in The Perioperative Period of Cleft Repair

Different stages along the trajectory of cleft care may present with different and peculiar challenges that may negatively impact family caregivers, leading to considerable stress and burden. This study aims to evaluate the family caregiver burden and perceived stress of caring for patients with cle...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Olalere Omoyosola Gbolahan BCHD, FWACS, Ogunmuyiwa Stella Amiede BCHD, FMCDS, Olowookere Anu Samuel MBCHB, MSc, FWACS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-12-01
Series:Journal of Patient Experience
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373520948650
Description
Summary:Different stages along the trajectory of cleft care may present with different and peculiar challenges that may negatively impact family caregivers, leading to considerable stress and burden. This study aims to evaluate the family caregiver burden and perceived stress of caring for patients with cleft deformities. Contributing factors to family caregivers’ burden in the perioperative period of cleft repair was also identified. A cross-sectional design that included 90 adult caregiver–patient pairs was employed. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect necessary information. The level of caregiver’s burden was assessed using the Zarit burden interview score. The results demonstrated the levels of caregiver burden as severe (4.4%), moderate to severe (21.1%), mild to moderate (40%), and little or none (34.5%). The only significant and independent predictor of caregiver burden was earning less than US$50/month (odds ratio = 2.30, 95% CI = 0.95-5.61, P = .066). Coping strategy was mainly family support (98.9%), while the greatest need expressed was financial assistance (66.7%). Our findings suggests that efforts geared at reducing direct and indirect cost of cleft care may help in reducing caregivers’ burden.
ISSN:2374-3735
2374-3743