Factors associated with caregiver burden in a child and adolescent psychiatric facility in Lagos, Nigeria: a descriptive cross sectional study

Caregivers of patients attending the Child and Adolescent Clinic of the Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos [n = 155] were consecutively recruited over a one-month period. The caregivers were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, Zarit Burden Interview, and the Columbia Impairment Scale. Scoring on the Children's Global Assessment Scale was done by clinicians.Most caregivers observed in this study were females (80.5%), with mothers of the patients accounting for 78% of all the caregivers. A higher percentage of the patients were males (52.8%). Moderate to severe/severe burden was recorded among 25.2% of caregivers. Factors associated with caregiver burden were patient's level of functioning [r = 0.489, p < 0.001], psychiatric morbidity in the caregiver [r = 0.709, p < 0.001], level of impairment as assessed by the caregiver [r = 0.545, p < 0.001], and child's level of education [t = 3.274, p = 0.001]. Each one independently predicted caregiver burden.The study reveals a high level of burden among the caregivers of children and adolescents with mental health problems.Burden of care has been defined as "the presence of problems, difficulties or adverse events which affect the life (lives) of the psychiatric patient's significant other(s)"[1]. These occur as a result of the challenges involved in caring for the mentally ill patient. Various definitions have been given, all stressing the effect of the patient's illness on the family, or the impact that the patient's illness has on the family's daily routine, or health [2]. In addition to the emotional, psychological, physical and economic impact, the concept of 'burden of care' involves subtle but distressing notions such as shame, embarrassment, feelings of guilt and self-blame [3].Previous studies have provided consistent evidence that the care-givers of persons with chronic mental illness suffer from a number of significant stresses and moderately high levels of burden [4