Psychopathology and subjective burden amongst primary caregivers of people with mental illness in South-Western Nigeria

Background Most mentally ill persons reside with family members in sub-Saharan Africa with the primary caregiver having to cater for the patients’ needs. The burden of this care giving may be associated with psychopathology in the carer. Aims To examine the rate and correlates of psychopathology and subjective burden amongst primary caregivers of people with mental illness in South-Western Nigeria. Method Adult psychiatric outpatients (n = 338) from three centres were assessed for clinical and functioning status, while their adult primary caregivers (n = 338) were assessed for psychopathology (using the General Health Questionnaire-GHQ-12) and level of burden (using the Zarit’s caregiver burden scale-ZCBS). Results The mean caregivers’ GHQ-12 score was 3.11 (SD 2.57) and mean ZBCS score was 42.85 (SD = 19.31) with a significant correlation between the two (r = 0.638, P\0.001). 118 (34.9%) caregivers had significant psychopathology and 205 (60.7%) had significant (moderate/ severe) burden. The independent associate of psychopathology was poor patient functioning either measured objectively (OR 6.43, 95% CI 3.12–13.29) or subjectively perceived by the carers (OR 6.28, 95% CI 2.46–17.94). Caregivers burden was independently associated with patients’ poor functioning (OR 5.97, 95% CI 2.56–15.45), caregivers’ being employed (OR 5.40, 95% CI 3.02–9.64) and being male (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.50–4.59). Conclusion With the high level of psychopathology and burden amongst caregivers in this region, clinicians should be sensitive and review them periodically and to pick up signs of psychopathology which may necessitate attention. Caregivers should be encouraged to meet regularly to share their experiences and ventilate their emotions