Challenges Experienced and Coping Mechanisms of Internally Migrated Informal Caregivers of Patients With Orofacial Diseases Attending the University College Hospital, Ibadan

Introduction- Certain illness may require long-term from specialists, often located in teaching hospitals in developing countries. This may involve internally migrating informal caregivers (IMICS) accompanying patients to tertiary health institutions. Little is known about the difficulties encountered by informal carers of patients with orofacial diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Nigeria. This study explores the lived experiences of internally migrated informal caregivers of patients with orofacial diseases at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, regarding the hurdles they encountered and the coping strayegies they employed. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study which utilized phenomenological inquiry was conducted among internally migrated informal caregivers of patients with orofacial diseases at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Data was collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews,which were audiotaped and later transcribed. A total of 18 internally migrated informal caregivers were interviewed for the study. Interviews were stopped when the participants responses were the same signifying saturation. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Result: Thirteen (72.2%) of the caregivers were female and 14 (77.8%) of the respondents were married. Fifteen (83.3%) of the IMICs were employed , while (16.7%) were undergraduate students. Informal caregivers who relocated internally spent 5-10 nights with their patients in the facility, facing emotional,health, financial,tran sportation, and institutional challenges, along with poor attitude and responsiveness from health workers. Coping mechanisms included socializing with other IMICs, being religious, engaging with media, finding the hospital staff friendly and having a support system.