Nurse-Family Caregiver Communication, Homecare Preparedness, and Associated Factors Towards Homecare of Patients with Chronic Diseases in South Wollo Zone Government Hospitals, North East Ethiopia 2022 (Mixed Study Design)

Background: Caregivers of families contribute a significant role in providing home care to patients with chronic illnesses. Nurses are uniquely positioned to communicate with family caregivers about home care for patients with chronic conditions. Previous studies have explored communication between nurses and patients, however, it is not studied in Ethiopia. Purpose: To assess nurse-family caregiver communication and home care preparedness towards care of patients having chronic diseases in South Wollo Zone Government Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia, 2022 G.C(Gregorian calendar). Method: A cross-sectional mixed study design was conducted on 422 principal family caregivers and selected nurses. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS version 23 statistical package and qualitative data was analyzed thematicaly. Descriptive statics was done using frequencies, percentage mean, median and standard deviation. Multi-variable logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors on the level of communication and home care preparedness when p-value<0.05 and the strength of statistical association were measured by adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance was taken at p-value <0.05. Main Findings: The overall nurse-family caregiver effective communication and good homecare preparedness were 45% and 43.6% respectively. Being a brother or sister [AOR (95% CI):=2.41.27, 4.37)] and family caregiver’s patient diagnosed with cancer [AOR(95% CI) = 0.08(0.03,0.26) has shown significant association with the level of communication. Having effective communication with nurses [AOR (95% CI)= 11.7(6.89, 20.02), living in the same house with patient [AOR(95% CI)= 1.8(1.13, 2.86)] has shown significant association with home care preparedness. Family caregiver patients diagnosed with cancer were less likely to be prepared for home care [AOR (95% CI) = 0.1(0.05, 0.26)]. The majority of nurses are believed that they are not communicating with family caregivers as enough as expected. Conclusion: The overall nurse family caregiver communication and family caregivers’ homecare preparedness were low. Attention should be needed to increase nurse-family caregiver communication that leads to increased homecare preparedness.