Factors Associated with Caregiving Burden of Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Disability, Kathmandu, Nepal

Introduction: The continuous increased in the ageing population suffering from chronic diseases with difficulty in performing activities of daily livings (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily livings (IADLs) increasing their needs of care. Because of limited health facilities and support; the family caregivers may experience burden. Objective: To identify factors associated with caregiving burden of family caregivers of older adults with disability. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted by using non-probability convenient sampling technique from 430 family caregivers of older adults with disability residing in Tarakeshwor and Gokarneshwor Municipalities of Kathmandu. Data was collected through in personal interview by using pretested Nepali version of structured interview questionnaire consisting socio-demographic characteristics of older adults and their family caregivers, care provision related variables, social support questionnaire and 22-item Zarit Burden questionnaire. SPSS version 25 was used for data analysis especially descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean as well as standard deviation), inferential statistics (Logistic regression model: univariate and multivariate) were used to identify factors associated with caregiving burden. Results: In this study, 65.3% of family caregivers had caregiving burden in which statistically significant association was depicted with COPD, hypertension, paralysis, urinary and gastrointestinal problems, health problems, psychological status, impaired ADLs and IADLs of older adults and also occupation and economic status, residency, types and size of family, perceived extra stress, health status, duration of care, daily caring hours, and sleep time of family caregivers. The predictors of burden were older adults with hypertension [AOR:1.96 (CI: 1.12-3.43; p=0.019)]; gastrointestinal problems [AOR: 3.33 (CI: 1.35-8.21; p=0.009)]; complete impairment [AOR: 0.37 (CI: 0.16-0.87; p=0.022)] and family caregivers with low economic status [AOR: 1.79 (CI: 1.05-3.05; p=0.031)]; caring for 3-35 months [AOR 0.60 (CI: 0.36-0.98; p=0.043)]; long caring hours (≥8) [ AOR 2.84 (CI: 1.14-7.06; p=0.025)]. Conclusion: As two third of family caregivers feel burden, the predictors of burden are hypertension, gastrointestinal problems and impairment in ADLs of the older adults and low economic status, caring for 3-35 months and long caring hours (≥8) of the family caregivers. The concerned authority of these two municipalities need to address the economic need of family caregivers and local level health institutions need to develop different activities for supporting family caregivers of older adults with disabilities through home visiting. Trial registration: Not applicable