CAREGIVERS LEVEL OF BURDEN AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

Background: A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain is epilepsy. It tends to arise suddenly, as it has highly random character and high psychological impact. Epilepsy occurring in a public place can lead to embarrassing and sometimes dangerous situations. It may occur in a workplace or in a social setting, where the patients along with the caregivers experience a lack of understanding and stigma on epilepsy.
Objectives: The main objective of the study level of burden among caregivers of patients with epilepsy, explore the coping strategies used by family members of patients with epilepsy and to associate the level of burden between caregivers and selected demographic variables. Methods: Descriptive research design was adopted to achieve the objectives of the study. The study was carried out in the Neuro Center clinic in Chennai, India.A total of 40 consecutive pairs of subjects and their main caregivers were initially joined in the study. The samples are selected using purposive sampling technique. Participants were asked to complete three part questionnaire including demographic data questionnaire, caregivers burden inventory and coping strategies scale among caregivers of patients with epilepsy. The investigator explained the education to the patients and caregivers reassuring them that their privacy would be firmly endangered and the questionnaires are administered to the participants. Self-introduction of the invigilator was made on the meeting day; the caregivers were primarily invited into a designated interview room for privacy. They were delivered with a detailed description on the study purposes and its procedure as written in the Family Caregiver Information Sheet. The Written consent form was later signed upon contribution agreement by the participants. The information was assigned and analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Studies (SPSS) version 21.0. Results: Majority (37.5%) was under the age group of 21-30 years, (72%) female, married (55%) and joint family (52.5%).
Around 95% of the subjects were literate and 70% of the Subjects from a city background and almost three fourth belonged to the middle class family.