A Cross-Sectional and Comparative Study of Caregiver Burden of Primary Caregivers of Mentally Retarded Subjects Attending Tertiary Care Hospital (IMH) and Rehabilitation Centre (SWEEKAR)

There are multiple problems of having a mentally retarded child in the family. Having a mentally retarded child poses a significant risk to physical and emotional well being of parents. This study was undertaken to assess the caregiver burden of primary caregivers of mentally retarded (MR) subjects who are attending mental hospital and compared with primary caregivers of MR subjects attending rehabilitation centre. Method: It is a cross-sectional and comparative study where primary caregivers 30 each in both groups were selected by random sampling and assessed on Zarit burden scale (ZBI). Modified kuppu swamy scale was used to assess socioeconomic status. Diagnosis of MR was done on basis of ICD-10 diagnostic criteria and Intelligent Quotient (IQ) assessment was done on Bhatia battery. Results: A total of 60 caregivers (30 each in IMH and Sweekar) were studied. The mean ZBI scores were 37.03 with SD 5.99 for IMH and 23.33 with SD 5.52 for Sweekar group. The caregivers of IMH were matched with sweekar for age, gender and religion. The caregiver burden was associated with severity of MR in IMH (p value 0.046012) and sweekar group (p value0.0458), the caregiver burden was also associated with duration of care giving in IMH group (p value 0.03726). Burden was inversely proportional to education of caregivers in sweekar group (p value 0.033599).Conclusion: Mean ZBI scores were more in IMH group than sweekar group. Factors associated with caregiver burden are severity of MR, duration of care giving and education of caregiver. Recommendations: Counseling for caregivers given at different stages of development, with emphasis on regular follow-ups is being recommended for effective management of MR.