Estudio observacional transversal de la sobrecarga en cuidadoras informales y los determinantes relacionados con la atención a las personas dependientes()

OBJECTIVE: To describe the burden of informal carers of dependent people and to identify related variables. DESIGN: Descriptive observational cross-sectional study. LOCATION: Primary Health Care in the southern area of Pontevedra. PARTICIPANTS: 97 caregivers of dependent persons. KEY MEASUREMENTS: We collected socioeconomic data and health conditions from caregivers and dependent persons, time spent on the daily care and caregiver burden (Zarit abbreviate) through a personal interview. Besides the description of the sample–including their burden level–, a contrast mean was used to identify characteristics that influenced in punctuation of Zarit scale. A logistic regression was used to analyse characteristics that increase the likelihood to experiment burden. RESULTS: 61.9% of caregivers are subject to intense burden. The item on the scale which contributes most to the caregiver burden is the lack of time for oneself, followed by the negative effects of interpersonal relationships. Contrast means shows that degree of relationship, number of care hours, caregiver health and aggressiveness of dependent persons produce significant differences in Zarit scale. Physic and psychological health of caregivers and aggressiveness of dependent persons is associated with the likelihood of developing caregiver burden. CONCLUSIONS: Informal caregivers of dependent persons show a high level of burden, both related to their characteristics and those of the dependent persons. Caregiver burden rethinks the need for public policies focused on dependence to adopt an integrative caregiver-dependent vision.