Emotional distress among caregivers of patients with epilepsy in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Caregivers of patients with epilepsy experience considerable emotional distress. The study aimed to assess the magnitude of the problem in a developing country.

Method: A total 166 patients-caregivers were enrolled for the study. They
were interviewed using a socio-demographic data collecting sheet and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS). Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Windows version 13. All statistical tests were carried out at a 5% level of probability.

Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 45.44±6.67 years. Emotional distress was found among 109(65.7%) of the caregivers. This is was significantly associated with male gender of both care giver and patient as well as residing in a rural area.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated a high level of emotional distress associated with caring for patients with epilepsy, which is comparable to other studies carried out in other parts of the world.

Key words: Epilepsy; Caregivers; Emotions; Nigeria