The influence of caregivers' burden on the quality of life for caregivers of older adults with chronic illness in Nigeria

Background: This study investigated the impact of caregivers' burden on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among the caregivers of older adults, and tested the predictive effect of burden and sociodemographic factors on HRQoL. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design. Three hundred and twenty-five caregivers of older adults with chronic illness were purposively selected. Data were collected using the Zarit Burden Interview and Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results: Findings revealed that 59.1% of caregivers experienced severe burden. In measuring the HQRoL, respondents performed poorly in seven domains: Role limitation due to emotional problems (19.69 +/- 9.46), Energy/fatigue (43.47 +/- 16.46), Emotional well-being, (45.83 +/- 13.93), Social functioning (49.09 +/- 18.46), Role limitation due to physical function (43.33 +/- 10.15), Physical functioning (43.6 +/- 18.73), and General health (37.31 +/- 12.09). Respondents, however, showed a higher score in the pain domain (56.77 +/- 35.79). Furthermore, findings revealed a positive correlation between caregivers' burden and General health (r = 0.342), Emotional well-being (r = 0.222), and Physical functioning (r = 0.083). Similarly, there is a negative correlation between caregivers' burden and Social functioning (r = -0.618), Role limitation due to physical activities (r = 0.459), Role limitation due to emotional well-being (r = -0.530), and Energy/fatigue domains (r = -0.509). In addition, burden of caregiving (beta =-3.142119, p = 0.000) and age (beta = 0.612752, p = 0.011) are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers. Discussion: This study concluded that there is a high prevalence of caregivers' burden resulting in poor HQRoL. In addition, burden and age are predictors of the quality of life of caregivers.