Burden among care-givers of kidney transplant recipients and its associated factors

Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2009 Jan;20(1):30-4.

Abstract

Burden among care-givers of chronically ill patients has been widely investigated. However, there is no study evaluating perceived pressure on care-givers of kidney transplant recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of care-giving to renal transplant recipients in Iranian Muslim population and to analyze factors associated with it. A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 41 care-givers of renal recipients. The Care-giver Burden Scale (CB Scale) was used to evaluate the care-giver's perceived burden and its correlates. Statistical analysis was performed using software SPSS v.13.0. P (p 0.05), and being a parent or spouse to the patient (p 0.05). We also found significant adverse effects of patients' second transplantation and gender (male) on care-givers' burden. There was no significant relationship between care-giver burden score and patients' marital status, education level, operation time, age, donor type (cadaveric or living), and dialysis history before and after transplantation. In conclusion, care-givers experience strain, which has implications for research and service provision. Service providers need to identify those care-givers at risk of greater strain and help them in situations that cannot be altered. Future research should be conducted to identify the effects of interventions, on care-givers' burden perception.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Caregivers* / psychology
  • Female
  • Home Care Services
  • Home Nursing / psychology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Social Support*
  • Stress, Psychological