A Cross-sectional Analysis of Caregiver Burden of Cancer Patients
in North India’s Urban Private Healthcare
Authors:
Kaur SP, Kalia R* and Thakur N
Abstract
Introduction: Cancer is a public health concern globally, affecting patients, their families, and caregivers facing multifaceted
burdens encompassing physical, emotional, and financial aspects. Recognizing caregivers› well-being as integral to effective
caregiving, the research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of caregiver burden in two urban private hospital settings in
urban India, employing a descriptive approach.
Methods: This study was conducted using a cross-sectional design. 89 pairs of cancer patients and their caregivers were
interviewed one-on-one to collect data. Sociodemographic details were collected with a structured questionnaires and caregiving
burdens were assessed by using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-22). Statistical analysis of the results was done using SPSS
software.
Results: Demographics revealed 71.9% of patients aged 50-75 years, 70% live in joint families, half unemployed, and over
1/3rd retired. Caregivers, 79.7% were primary caregivers with the majority between the age of 25-50. More than 80% lived with
the patients and one-third had no employment. The mean caregiver burden score using ZBI-22 was 24.78 13.88, with 41.6%
experiencing mild to moderate burden and 11.2% facing moderate to severe burden. Significant burdens reported by caregivers
were concerns regarding patients’ future, caregiver dependency, work, and family responsibilities, personal expectations, lack
of time for oneself, and poor social life.
Discussion: The findings indicated a comprehensive picture, with a significant proportion of caregivers reporting little to no
burden and a substantial percentage experiencing mild to moderate burden. The study highlighted caregivers neglecting selfcare,
and financial issues were less prominent, with reliance on government-funded schemes. In the familial structure of Indian
caregiving, ties are central, but caregivers may hesitate to acknowledge the burden.