The impact of hospital settings on the mood status of family care givers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to find out the existing differences in anxiety and depression among patient’s family care providers in public and private health sectors of Karachi.

Background: For family care givers, care-giving is extremely rewarding it makes a bond between patient and a care-giver. It makes a union which is indispensable for patient welfare. The wellness of caregiver depends on patient’s condition and level of satisfaction with the circumstances associated with care-giving, undeniably care-giving constitute myriad of stresses, like depression, anxiety, frustration which if not addressed can have serious impact on caregivers health and can even make them resentful of their role as well. The present study was conducted to investigate the major mood changes among patients’ family care givers in public and private health sectors.

Method: A cross-sectional study was carried at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (Public Health Sector) and Liaquat National Hospital (Private Sector) from 1st March till 1st August, 2013. The study was conducted on the family care givers of the patients residing with them at the hospitals. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was completed by 288 participants out of 290 caregivers who enrolled in the study. The HADS was used to evaluate the factors and symptoms of mood disorder (anxiety and depression) in the caregivers of patients.

Results: Out of 288 participants who completed the HADS, 223 showed a high rate of psychological disturbed state which was more prevalent in the females (79.8%) than males (75.1%). The HADS was equally filled by the caregivers at public health sector (n = 145) and private health sector (n = 145). The total cases of mood disorder is relatively high in the caregiver population and most of the cases were found in public health sector (n = 134) as compared with private health sector (n = 89).

Conclusion: Anxiety and depression among the patients family care providers was very appreciable especially in Public Health Sector as compared to Private Health Sector perhaps due to economic burden, doctor-family caregiver relationship and negligence of concerned authorities. We strongly suggest and request concerned authorities to reduce stress and enhance the quality of life of family care-provider.