Abstract

ARIAS-ROJAS, Mauricio et al. Family caregivers of people suffering chronic disease in Colombia's frontier regions: a profile and perceived care burden. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2014, vol.62, n.3, pp.1-32. ISSN 0120-0011.  https://doi.org/10.15446/revfacmed.v62n3.39091.

Background. Family members represent the main support system in the event of chronic disease occurring in Latin-American countries. Although the official healthcare system does not always recognise family caregivers they often provide the majority of care for their loved ones. Assuming such responsibility is even more complex regarding Colombia's frontier regions where it is supposed that the primary burden of care falls on the family. Objective. Comparing the care burden perceived by family caregivers of people suffering chronic non-communicable disease (CNCD) living in Colombia's border regions and ascertaining their sociodemographic characteristics. Materials and methods. A correlational, descriptive study was carried out during 2012-2013 which involved 256 family caregivers of people suffering CNCD living in Colombia's border regions. The Duke-UNC functional social support questionnaire (FSSQ) and Zarit care burden interview tools were used for collecting data. The data was analysed by using the ETA correlation ratio, Spearman correlation, Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple association between variables tests. Perception of the care burden was compared between regions. Results. There was no statistically significant association between caregivers' characteristics and their perceived care burden. The study reflected social inequality regarding Colombia's border regions. The perception of family caregivers of people suffering CNCD regarding their care burden ranged from 16.7% to 96.3%. Conclusions. Public policy is needed which considers that CNCD should be covered by the official health system and provides support for family caregivers of people suffering CNCD in remote areas.

Keywords : Chronic Disease; Caregivers; Cost of Illness.

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