Browsing by Author "Mainjeni, Angella"

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    Burden and associated factors among caregivers of people with mental illness receiving treatment at Saint John of God Hospitaller Lilongwe services
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-03-04) Mainjeni, Angella
    Background/introduction: Mental, neurological and substance use disorders are major contributors to morbidity and premature mortality throughout the world. Over 10% of the global burden of disease, measured in terms of years of healthy life lost, can be attributed to these disorders. Family members play an important role in providing care to their relatives with mental illness. Family caregivers are responsible for adopting certain duties and responsibilities that are in excess of those normally associated with a family role at a particular stage of life hence this might be burdensome. Burden of caregiving is any unwanted or negative consequences experienced by caregivers of people with mental illness (PWMI) as a result of taking care of and the responsibility for PWMI. Studies have shown there is relationship between providing care to people with mental illness and experiences of different forms burden as a result of caregiving. Problem: severe and chronic mental illness has negative impact on the client himself and his family members. The longer the care giving the more burdensome it becomes and this might contribute to a lot of frustrations to those who are providing care to the mentally ill patients and this affect the care and recovery of mentally ill patients. Objectives: This study will determine the magnitude of the caregiver’s burden and establish the association of social demographic, clinical and personal characteristic associated with burden among caregivers of patients with mental illness receiving treatment at St John of God Hospitaller Lilongwe service in Malawi. Methodology: This will be cross sectional study recruiting 323 caregivers aged 18 years and above of patients receiving outpatient management for different kinds of mental illnesses at St John of God Hospitaller Lilongwe Service. Screening for caregiver burden will be done using involvement evaluation questionnaire (IEQ). 2.5 Constraints: Time may not be adequate for the researcher to collect the required data hence this may limit the study. Because of smaller sample size, it would be difficult for the findings to be generalized to other settings since the study will only be done at one facility. Participants may not be honest enough when responding to questions in fear of offending their ill relation hence this may affect study results. Expected findings: The study will establish if severe and chronic mental illness contribute to caregiver burden and also establish factors that associated with caregiver burden. Dissemination: Research findings will be disseminated to COMREC research dissemination conferences, St John of God Journal Presentations, annual Malawi -Scotland mental health conference, and will also be submitted for publishing in appropriate journals.