Care burden and its influencing factors of primary caregiver of patients with spinal cord injury

Objective To explore the care burden and its influencing factors of primary caregiver of patients with spinal cord injury. Methods A total of 120 primary caregiver of spinal cord injury patients were selected as research object. The general information of SCI patients and their primary caregiver were investigated by "SCI patient general data questionnaire" and "primary caregiver in SCI patient general data questionnaire", caregiver burden of spinal cord injury were investigated by "caregiver burden inventory". The relationship between the general information of patients and caregivers and the care burden analyzed. Results Caregiver burden of elderly patients was significantly lower than that of younger ones (F=54.053, P <0.01). The more serious of spinal cord injury, the higher of care burden (F= 315.104, P<0.01). The patients with neck and multiple segmental spine injury and postoperative complications had a higher care burden (F=199.203, t=6.462, 32.195, P <0.01). When the caregivers were female, spouses or children, with poor health condition, with higher education degree, and as cadres or workers, caregiver burden was higher (t=6.061, F=22.073-52.392, P <0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the degree of spinal cord injury, complications, gender, and the relationship between the patients were the main factors that influenced the care burden. Conclusions The main factors influencing the care burden are spinal cord injury degree, complications, gender, and the relationship between the patients. Clinical managers needs to develop appropriate social support system for the factors which affect the caregiver, in order to ease the caregiver′s care burden. Key words: Spinal cord injuries; Caregiver; Caregiver burden; Influencing factors