Cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad cronica en las regiones de frontera colombiana: perfil y carga percibida de cuidado

Abstract

Family members represent the main support system in the event of chronic disease occurring in Latin-American countries. Although the ofcial 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 Colombias 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 Colombias 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 Colombias 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 signicant association between caregivers characteristics and their perceived care burden. The study reected social inequality regarding Colombias border regions. The perception of family caregivers of people suffering CNCD regarding their care burden ranged from 16.7% to 96.3%.