Burden and depression in primary caregivers of persons with visual impairment.
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Date
2016-08
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Abstract
Context: Caregivers who assist persons with visual impairment often neglect their needs, resulting in burden
and depression. Rehabilitation efforts, directed to the disabled, seldom target the caregiver. Aim: To assess
burden and depression in persons caring for blind individuals. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional
study carried out in the outpatient department of a tertiary‑level teaching hospital in New Delhi.
Materials and Methods: Institutional Ethical Board approval was obtained and written informed consent too
was obtained from the participants involved in this study. Persons with best‑corrected vision <20/200 in the
better eye, and their primary caregivers, were recruited. We recorded demography, other illness/disability,
household income, relationship with disabled person, and caregiver burden (Caregiver Burden Scale) and
depression (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was
carried out using SPSS version 20 (Released 2011. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.); range, average, and standard
deviation were determined for age, burden, and depression. The association between burden and depression
was determined using Pearson’s correlation; the relationship between degree of disability and caregiver burden
and depression was determined using unpaired t‑test; using multiple linear regression, factors were found to
be statistically significant; significance was taken at P < 0.05. Results: Twenty‑seven (53.0%) men and 24 (47.0%)
women had visual impairment. Most caregivers (n = 40; 81.6%) were first‑degree relatives or a spouse; 32 (65%)
had schooling <5 years; and 29 (59%) were unemployed. Depression ranged from 21 to 52 (average 43.2 ± 5.71);
it correlated with degree of disability (P = 0.012), household income (r = −0.320; P = 0.025), and burden (r = 0.616;
P < 0.001). Burden ranged from 30 to 73 (average 54.5 ± 6.73) and correlated with degree of disability (P = 0.006).
On multiple linear regression, burden predicted depression (r = 0.557; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Caregivers merit
community support, financial benefit, interventions to diagnose and treat depression, and training in coping.
Centers that provide disability certification could offer counseling.
Description
Keywords
Blindness, caregivers, caregiving burden, depression, rehabilitation
Citation
Khare Shubhank, Rohatgi Jolly, Bhatia Manjeet Singh, Dhaliwal Upreet. Burden and depression in primary caregivers of persons with visual impairment. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2016 Aug; 64(8): 572-577.