Main Article Content

Caregiver Burden, Quality of Life and Coping Mechanisms among Caregivers of Children Living with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria


Ogunyemi Adedoyin Oyeyimika
Oduola Ololade Muheezat
Olatona Foluke Adenike
Otokpa Ejiro

Abstract

Introduction: Children living with HIV/AIDS (CLWHA) are significantly affected psychosocially and their caregivers may experience stress with negative effects. This study assessed the caregiver burden, quality of life and coping mechanisms.
Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 246 caregivers of CLWHA. Psychological distress and caregivers’ burden was assessed using General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and Zarit Burden Interview-12 (ZBI-12) respectively.
Data analysis was done using Epi info software version 7 and the level of significance was set at p <0.05. Ethical approval and informed consent were duly obtained.
Results: Of the sample (n=246), 93.1% were females and the mean age of the caregivers was 41.3±8.5 years. Only 9.4% of the respondents had a high caregiver burden while majority (72.0%) experienced ‘no to mild’ burden. Over half (54.9%) had mild to severe psychological distress. The physical domain aspect of quality of life scored highest (71.1±15.0), while the lowest was in the environment domain (57.6±15.6). Religious coping was the most adopted mechanism in this study.
Conclusion: Majority were categorized as having mild or no caregiver burden but experienced psychological distress while caring for CLWHA. Psychological wellbeing and the mental health of caregivers of CLWHA should be a focus of support.


Keywords: Burden, Caregiver, Children, Coping, HIV


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1022-9272