Care Burden and Related Factors on the Caregivers of Patients Receiving Service from Hemodialysis Unit: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

Aim: This research explores the burden experienced by caregivers who provide home care for dialysis patients and examines the factors influencing this burden. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from February 1 to April 30, 2019, involving 183 primary caregivers of patients undergoing hospital hemodialysis for at least three months. The study utilized the Zarit Burden Inventory to measure caregiver burden, Katz’s Activities of Daily Living to assess dependency levels, and the 36-Item Short Form Survey to evaluate quality of life. Results: The mean age of caregivers was 46.35±24.20 years, with 67.5% being female. The average Zarit Burden Inventory score was 32.5±14.4, indicating that 57.8% of caregivers experienced a mild to moderate burden. A moderate negative correlation was observed between the 36-item Short Form Survey scores and caregiver burden. The main influencing factors included the caregiver's age, relationship with the patient, level of dependency, and overall quality of life. Conclusion: Caregivers of hemodialysis patients face a significant burden, which is more pronounced for those caring for bedridden patients or individuals requiring frequent dialysis. Establishing support systems and developing new care strategies could help mitigate caregiver strain. Keywords: hospital hemodialysis units, quality of life, caregivers, patients, dialysis