Zarit Burden Interview Score in Caregivers of Patients of Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy

Abstract

BACKGROUND Chronic diseases like cerebral palsy (CP) and recurrent diseases like epilepsy in children are a constant burden to the family. Zarit Burden Interview Score (ZBI Score) is one of the oldest and most often used tool, which has been translated and validated in several languages allowing for international comparisons. The purpose of the present study was to determine a statistically valid cutoff score for the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) which can be used to screen caregivers at a risk for depression and in need of further assessment and intervention. We wanted to quantify the stress of caregivers and compare the quantum of stress of the caregivers of chronic illness (CP) vs. recurrent illness (epilepsy). METHODS Family caregivers were defined as co-resident family members who assisted with most, if not all, of the patient's daily care needs. Care giver burden, was measured with the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI; Zarit, Todd, & Zarit, 1986) which consists of 22 items, 21 of which are summed to create a total burden score. Higher score indicates greater burden. RESULTS In present study the mean ZBI score is 47 in group C and 27 in group E. The female care givers are more in number. When male person is taking care, the burden is significant, likely to be due to additional liabilities. It is found that with increase age of caregiver stress and score increase. Care givers with low education and male patients showed high score. CONCLUSIONS Limitation of the study identifies the family caregivers under stress and their need for the management of the stress so that they can impart quality care to the suffering child and improve micro environment of family.

Caregiver burden assessment of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in a tertiary care centre

“…In the study by Fatih et al, the mean burden score was 49.77 19 and in the study by Shah et al, the mean burden score was 62.6. 20 The mean burden score in our setting was higher than the other two studies -probably because of the lower socio economic status, increased incidence of hospital admissions or a variety of social factors which have not been assessed in detail in other studies.…”