Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2008 , Vol 18 , Num 2
Burden of Caregivers for Patients with Brain Tumors and Affecting Factors
Arzu Tuna MALAK, Aklime DİCLE
Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi, Hemşirelik Yüksekokulu, İzmir, Türkiye AIM: Brain tumor is a disease which threatens life and increases the burden of caregivers. The burden of care influence the physiological, psychological, financial and social roles of caregivers. The aim of study was to determine burden of caregiver and affecting factors in patients with brain tumors.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The study included a total of 40 patients (with astrocytoma and meningioma) in a universtiy hospital. Data of patients and caregivers which were collected included socio-demographic characteristics, daily activities (Barthel Indeks), Care- Giver Strain Index. Care-Giver Strain Index was improved by Robinson (1983). It was adapted for Turkish people by Uğur (2006). Analyses performed were number/percent, Chi-square test and Mann Whitney U test.

RESULTS: Patients had malign tumors (astrocytoma) at a rate of 57.5% (n=23) and benign tumors (meningioma) at a rate of 42.5% (n=17). Caregivers' burden of patients with malignant tumor were higher than bening tumor (p<0,05).Caregivers increased burden if symptoms of patients increased (p<0,05).Age sex, marital status, education status, financial status did not correlate significantly with burden (p>0,05). Work status, helping status in care, experiences in care, hopelessness were significantly correlated with the burden (p<0,05).

CONCLUSION: Care givers' burden of patients with malignant brain tumor increased with work status and psychosocial status. Anahtar Kelimeler : Burden of family, Caregivers, Brain tumor