Assessment of Caregiver Burden Amongst Parents of Children With Congenital Heart Disease in Two Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria: A Cross- Sectional Study

Background Caregiver burden is a multidimensional strain experienced by individuals caring for patients with chronic illnesses. Parents of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) often face significant emotional, financial, and social challenges, particularly in resource- limited settings. This study assessed caregiver burden among parents of children with CHD attending two tertiary hospitals in Nigeria and identified associated factors Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 primary caregivers of children with CHD receiving follow-up care at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, and Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Owerri. Data were collected using a structured socio-demographic and caregiver burden questionnaire comprising seven domains. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics summarized the variables while Chi-square tests identified associations and predictors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The majority of caregivers were females (94%) and aged 31–40 years (54%). Most (96%) financed care through out-of-pocket payments. Overall, 41% of caregivers experienced moderate burden, and 26% severe burden. The emotional/psychological domain had the highest mean score (13.40 ± 5.27), followed by financial strain (8.57 ± 4.99) and uncertainty about the future (8.04 ± 4.17). No statistically significant associations were found between caregiver burden and socio-demographic or clinical variables. Conclusion Caregiver burden among parents of children with CHD is substantial, with emotional and financial strain predominating. Integrating psychosocial support and improving financial protection mechanisms are essential to enhance family-centered CHD care.