Abstract
Background
Caregivers play an important role in the management of chronic mental illness in the community. Caring for patients with chronic mental illness like schizophrenia can cause emotional distress in the caregivers. However, the magnitude of the problem remains largely unknown in Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing countries.
Method
A total of 129 caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending the outpatient clinic of Katsina State Psychiatric Hospital were enrolled for the study. They were interviewed using socio-demographic data collecting sheet and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The data obtained were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 13. Statistical significance was set at 5% level of probability.
Results
The caregivers consisted of 87 (67.4%) females and 42 (32.6%) males. The mean age of the subjects was 45.07 ± 8.91 years. Siblings constituted majority of the caregivers. Emotional distress was found in 79.84% of the caregivers (95% CI 72.82–86.86). Factors associated with emotional distress in the caregivers were family size, education, financial support, patient gender and relationship with the patient.
Conclusion
Emotional distress is common among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia and the risk factors were similar in most communities.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
World Health Organisation (2001) World Health Report 2001. World Health Organisation, Geneva
Wyatt RJ, Henter I, Leary MC, Taylor E (1995) An economic evaluation of schizophrenia—1991. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 30:195–205
Knapp M (2002) Cost of schizophrenia. Br J Psychiatry 181:494–498
World Health Organization (1997) Nations for Mental Illness: Schizophrenia and Public Health. Geneva: World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/media/en/55pdf. Accessed 20 December 2008
Given B, Wyatt G, Given C, Gift A, Sherwood P, DeVoss D et al (2005) Burden and depression among caregivers of patients at end of life. Oncol Nurs Forum 31:1105–1111
Baiyewu O, Smith-Gamble V, Akinbiyi A et al (2003) Behavioural and caregiver reaction as measured by neuropsychiatry inventory in Nigeria. Int Psychogeriatr 15:399–409
Weisman A, Rosales G, Kymulainan J, Armesto J (2005) Ethnicity, family cohesion, religiosity and general emotional distress in patients with schizophrenia and their relatives. J Nerv Ment Dis 193:359–368
Magana SM, Greenberg JS, Seltzer MM (2004) The health and well being of black mothers who cares for their adult children with schizophrenia. Psychiatr Serv 55:711–713
Fortinsky R, Kercher K, Burant C (2002) Measurement and correlates of family caregiver self-efficacy for managing dementia. Aging Ment Health 6:153–160
Medalie JH (1994) The caregiver as hidden patient: theory and research on health care triads. J Health Soc Behav 35:1–12
Madianos M, Economou M, Dafni O, Koukia E, Palli A, Rogakou E (2004) Family disruption, economic hardship and psychological distress in schizophrenia: can they be measured? Eur Psychiatry 19:408–414
Cornwall PL, Scott J (1996) Burden of care, psychological distress and satisfaction with service in the relatives of acutely mentally disordered adults. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 31:345–348
Ohaeri JU (2001) Caregiver burden and psychotic patients’ perception of social support in a Nigerian setting. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 36:86–93
Ukpong DI (2006) Demographic factors and clinical correlates of burden and distress in relatives of services users experiencing schizophrenia: a study from south-western Nigeria. Int J Ment Health Nurs 15:54–59
Shibre T, Kebede D, Alem A et al (2003) Schizophrenia: illness impact on family members in a traditional society—rural Ethiopia. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 38:27–34
Martyn-Yellowe IS (1992) The burden of schizophrenia on the family: a study from Nigeria. Br J Psychiatry 161:779–782
Ohaeri JU, Fido AA (2001) The opinion of caregivers on aspects of schizophrenia and major affective disorders in a Nigerian setting. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 36:493–499
World Health Organization (2005) Mental health atlas. World Health Organization, Geneva. http://apps.who.int/globalatlas/default.asp. Accessed 20 December 2008
Ayorinde O, Gureje O, Lawal R (2004) Psychiatric research in Nigeria: bridging tradition and modernisation. Br J Psychiatry 184:536–538
National Population Commission of Nigeria (1993) Final population results 1991. Lagos
World Health Organisation (1992) International classification of diseases, 10th edn. World Health Organisation, Geneva
Zigmond AS, Snaith RP (1983) The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Acta Psychiatr Scand 67:361–370
Spinhoven P, Ormel J, Sloeker PP, Speckens AE, Van Hermert AM (1997) A validation of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in different group of Dutch subjects. Psychol Med 27:363–370
Harrero MJ, Blanch J, Peri JM, DePablo J, Pintor L, Bulbena A (2003) A validation study of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in a Spanish population. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 25:277–283
Abiodun OA (1994) A validity study of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in general hospital units and community sample in Nigeria. Br J Psychiatry 165:669–672
Conflict of interest statement
None.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yusuf, A.J., Nuhu, F.T. Factors associated with emotional distress among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in Katsina, Nigeria. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 46, 11–16 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0166-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-009-0166-6