Type | Journal Article - African Journal of Psychiatry |
Title | Emotional distress among caregivers of patients with epilepsy in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria |
Author(s) | |
Volume | 16 |
Issue | 1 |
Publication (Day/Month/Year) | 2013 |
Page numbers | 41-44 |
URL | http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajpsy/article/viewFile/90854/80283 |
Abstract | Objective: Caregivers of patients with epilepsy experience considerable emotional distress. The study aimed to assess the magnitude of the problem in a developing country. Method: A total 166 patients-caregivers were enrolled for the study. They were interviewed using a socio-demographic data collecting sheet and the Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale (HADS). Data obtained were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Windows version 13. All statistical tests were carried out at a 5% level of probability. Results: The mean age of the caregivers was 45.44±6.67 years. Emotional distress was found among 109(65.7%) of the caregivers. This is was significantly associated with male gender of both care giver and patient as well as residing in a rural area. Conclusion: The study demonstrated a high level of emotional distress associated with caring for patients with epilepsy, which is comparable to other studies carried out in other parts of the world. |
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