Title |
The burden among family caregivers of elderly cancer patients: prospective study in a Moroccan population
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Published in |
BMC Research Notes, August 2015
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DOI | 10.1186/s13104-015-1307-5 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Sihame Lkhoyaali, Meryem Ait El Haj, Fadwa El Omrani, Mohammed Layachi, Nabil Ismaili, Hind Mrabti, Hassan Errihani |
Abstract |
In Morocco, families play a major role in caring for elderly cancer patients. We conducted a prospective descriptive study, in the National Institute of Oncology in Morocco. The study aimed to include family members who are caregivers for patients aged ≥70 years old. After obtaining IRB approval, a total of 150 caregivers responded to the questionnaire. Mean age was 44.7 years. The majority were females (59.3%), living in urban areas (66.7%), and educated (62.7%).Offspring (sons or daughters) represented 56.7, 54% lived with their relatives in the same house. Most of the participants were married and have familial responsibilities. In relatives, anxiety was found in 79.3%, it was related to fear of losing the patient in 57% and resulted in the use of anxiolytics in 10%. Guilt feeling towards patients regarding neglecting their early symptoms was reported in 38%. Depression and anxiety were more frequent among female relatives and among those of urban origin. Obsession of dying from cancer was present in about 30% and fear of contagion was more common among those from rural areas and illiterate. Economic resources were exceeded in 78.7 and 56% have used banking credits, and sale of properties. Work lay-off was recorded in 54%. Relatives participated in treatment making decisions in 86% of patients. Even there was a great impact on elderly cancerous patients relatives, the benefits of caregiving was observed in 80%. More studies have to be conducted, especially in developing countries where the lack of resources majors the impact on family caregivers. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Ghana | 1 | <1% |
Egypt | 1 | <1% |
Unknown | 102 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 18 | 17% |
Researcher | 17 | 16% |
Student > Bachelor | 15 | 14% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 15 | 14% |
Other | 5 | 5% |
Other | 9 | 9% |
Unknown | 25 | 24% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 25 | 24% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 21 | 20% |
Psychology | 13 | 13% |
Social Sciences | 4 | 4% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 3% |
Other | 11 | 11% |
Unknown | 27 | 26% |