ASSESSMENT OF BURDEN AMONG CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: A HOSPITAL BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Developmental disabilities comprise a wide range of lifelong conditions that begin in early childhood and interfere with the normal progression of physical, cognitive, language, and social development. Children with developmental disability often require sustained medical, rehabilitative, and emotional support. This long-term care places a signicant psychological and physical burden on caregivers. Understanding the extent and determinants of caregiver burden is essential for developing targeted psychosocial and community-based interventions. Methodology: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Psychiatry at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai between June 2023 and July 2024. A total of 82 primary caregivers of children with different developmental disabilities were selected through purposive sampling. Information on socio-demographic and clinical variables was obtained using a predesigned structured proforma, while the level of caregiver burden was evaluated using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0, and associations between categorical variables were examined using the Chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically signicant. Results: Of the 82 caregivers included in the study, the majority were women (87.8%). According to the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) scores, 56.1% of participants reported a severe level of burden, 26.8% experienced a moderate burden, and 17.1% had a mild burden. A signicant association was identied between the level of caregiver burden and factors such as socioeconomic status (p = 0.028), educational attainment (p = 0.021), employment status (p = 0.041), and the specic type of developmental disability (p < 0.001). Caregivers looking after children with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and hearing impairment experienced the greatest levels of burden. Signic Conclusion: ant psychological and social stress is experienced by carers of children with developmental disabilities, especially those from lower socioeconomic origins who have less education and are unemployed. Early identication of caregiver distress and incorporation of psychosocial counseling, nancial assistance, and community-based rehabilitation into child care programs are essential to alleviate burden and improve caregiver well-being.