Burden of family caregivers of cancer patients: a cross-sectional study in a national referral oncology unit in Togo”

Family caregivers play an essential role in supporting patients with cancer, often without financial compensation. Despite their contributions, the burdens they experience are frequently overlooked, especially in low-resource settings. This study aimed to evaluate the perceived burden among family caregivers of cancer patients in Togo. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2024 in the oncology unit of Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital in Lomé, Togo. Caregivers were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that assessed the sociodemographic characteristics of caregivers and patients. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) was used to measure caregiver burden. Caregiver burden was classified as no/minimal (0–20), mild to moderate (21–40), moderate to severe (41–60), and severe (61–88). Data were analysed using SPSS software (v.27). A total of 123 caregivers participated (48.8% men, mean age 40 ± 5 years). Children (39%) and spouses (30.1%) represented the main caregiver categories. Most caregivers (61.8%) had provided care for more than six months, and 61% of patients were at a metastatic stage. Overall, 23.6% of caregivers reported no or minimal burden, 61% a mild-to-moderate burden, and 15.4% a moderate-to-severe burden. The mean total ZBI score was 29.0 ± 11.7. Caregiver burden was significantly associated with the stage of cancer (p = 0.010), but not with caregiver age, gender, or relationship to the patient. Most family caregivers experienced mild-to-moderate burden, which was heavily influenced by the patient’s disease stage. Incorporating caregiver assessment and psychosocial support into cancer and palliative care services is essential for enhancing both patient outcomes and caregiver well-being in low-resource settings.