title: Burden of caregivers of adult patients with schizophrenia in a predominantly African ancestry population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is relative inattention to caregiving burden in black populations in developing economies. This study seeks to assess the level of perceived burden and social determinants of burden of care in caregivers of adult patients with schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 115 dyads of patients with schizophrenia caregivers attending public mental health clinics were consecutively recruited. Burden of care was evaluated using the 22-item Zarit Burden Scale (maximum score, 88). Multiple linear regression model explored factors associated with caregiver burden.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caregivers were predominantly females (75.7 %) and were on average 50.8 ± 15.0 years. Most patients with schizophrenia were males (65.2 %) and were on average 43.6 ± 17.2 years old. Caregivers showed on average, mild-to-moderate burden (score, 30.0 ± 14.7; median, 28.0). There was tendency for caregivers of patients who were parents or spouses to have higher levels of burden. In multivariable analyses, higher burden of caregiving was associated with patient's inability to perform self-care (B ± SE, 5.12 ± 1.40; p = 0.0001), closer kinship and higher numbers of psychotic episodes in previous year. The length of caregiving relationship was inversely related.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poorer functioning and demographic factors were important determinants of caregiver burden. Community mental health services should include self-care interventions in rehabilitation programs in Jamaica.
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Charlotte-Ellen
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bebee
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Kelly-Maria
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Ross-Michael Des
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Vignes
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Escoffery
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Chazine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: DeAngelo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Skyla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montano
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Maxine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Stephon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramcharan
authors.affiliation: Community Health Rotation, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, 7, Jamaica. maria.jackson@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors.forename: Maria D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D012648:Self Care; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: African ancestry; Caregiver burden; Disability level; Schizophrenia