TY - JOUR
T1 - Caregiving Preparedness and Caregiver Burden in Omani Family Caregivers for Patients with Acquired Brain Injury
AU - Roslin, Hema
AU - Muliira, Joshua K.
AU - Lazarus, Eilean R.
AU - Jacob, Devakirubai
AU - Al-Habsi, Warda
AU - Al-Musallami, Fatma
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, Sultan Qaboos University. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023/11/30
Y1 - 2023/11/30
N2 - Objective: To explore the caregiving preparedness and burden among Omani family caregivers (FCs) of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Methods: A prospective observational design was used to collect data from 119 FCs and their patients at the time of discharge from the hospital and 16 weeks post-discharge during follow up-care in the neurology clinic. The questionnaire comprised the Zarit Burden Index, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, the SF-12 General Health Survey, and a patient symptom scale. Results: FCs were predominantly female (55.5%), and their mean age was 38.27 ± 9.11 years. Most patients had moderate to severe ABI (95.8%) due to stroke (56.3%) and trauma (30.3%). The most common patient symptoms were loss of muscle strength, speech problems, mood problems, memory loss, and change in behavior. Most FCs had a low caregiving preparedness (58%) at discharge, and 19.1% had a high level of caregiving burden at 16 weeks post-discharge. The length of time post-injury (p < 0.01), symptom severity (p < 0.01), and the FCs’ physical and mental health status (p < 0.01) were significant predictors of caregiving preparedness. The predictors of caregiver burden were caregiver preparedness (p < 0.01), symptom severity (p < 0.01), and caregivers’ mental health (p = 0.028). Conclusion: Omani FCs of patients with ABI commence the caregiver role with inadequate preparation, and shortly a significant number suffer a high caregiving burden. Interventions focusing on the caregiver’s health and training in symptom management may enhance the outcomes of FCs and patients.
Keywords: Acquired brain injury; Caregiving; Caregiving preparedness; Caregiver burden; Family caregivers; Rehabilitation; Traumatic brain injury; Oman.
AB - Objective: To explore the caregiving preparedness and burden among Omani family caregivers (FCs) of patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). Methods: A prospective observational design was used to collect data from 119 FCs and their patients at the time of discharge from the hospital and 16 weeks post-discharge during follow up-care in the neurology clinic. The questionnaire comprised the Zarit Burden Index, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, the SF-12 General Health Survey, and a patient symptom scale. Results: FCs were predominantly female (55.5%), and their mean age was 38.27 ± 9.11 years. Most patients had moderate to severe ABI (95.8%) due to stroke (56.3%) and trauma (30.3%). The most common patient symptoms were loss of muscle strength, speech problems, mood problems, memory loss, and change in behavior. Most FCs had a low caregiving preparedness (58%) at discharge, and 19.1% had a high level of caregiving burden at 16 weeks post-discharge. The length of time post-injury (p < 0.01), symptom severity (p < 0.01), and the FCs’ physical and mental health status (p < 0.01) were significant predictors of caregiving preparedness. The predictors of caregiver burden were caregiver preparedness (p < 0.01), symptom severity (p < 0.01), and caregivers’ mental health (p = 0.028). Conclusion: Omani FCs of patients with ABI commence the caregiver role with inadequate preparation, and shortly a significant number suffer a high caregiving burden. Interventions focusing on the caregiver’s health and training in symptom management may enhance the outcomes of FCs and patients.
Keywords: Acquired brain injury; Caregiving; Caregiving preparedness; Caregiver burden; Family caregivers; Rehabilitation; Traumatic brain injury; Oman.
KW - Acquired Brain Injury
KW - Caregiver Burden
KW - Caregivers
KW - Family
KW - Oman
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - Traumatic Brain Injuries
KW - Humans
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Patient Discharge
KW - Male
KW - Brain Injuries/therapy
KW - Caregivers/psychology
KW - Aftercare
KW - Female
KW - Adult
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85179641120&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85179641120&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/4432557a-1800-3ea3-a64b-9dd06d161bc3/
U2 - 10.18295/squmj.6.2023.040
DO - 10.18295/squmj.6.2023.040
M3 - Article
C2 - 38090237
AN - SCOPUS:85179641120
SN - 2075-051X
VL - 23
SP - 493
EP - 501
JO - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
JF - Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal
IS - 4
ER -