| Objectives:The objectives of this study were to investigate the caregiver burden and social support situation among spouses of patients with breast cancer,to explore the relationship between caregiver burden and social support,to analysis the influencing factors of caregiver burden as well as social support,and to understand the social support needs of spouses of breast cancer patients.This study would provide evidence for improving the support level of and reduce the caregiver burden for spouses of patients with breast cancer.Method:Cross-sectional survey and convenience sampling methods were applied in this study.Respectively,160 breast cancer patients and 160 her spouses from Yunnan Provincial Cancer Hospital were recruited.Structured questionnaire,including general information questions(demographic characteristics,,disease-related information,spouse's caregiver situation),Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview(ZBI),Social Support Ratings Scale(SSRS),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),were applied to collect information.EpiData 3.1 software was used for establishing and cleaning the database and SPSS17.0 software was used for data analysis.Results:1.The results from general information analysis showed that the age of 160 breast cancer patients range from 27 to 69 years old,the average age was 47.24 ± 8.86 years old.The majority of patients were in disease stage of I(45.6%)and of II(40.6%).58.7%of the patients were diagnosed for less than 5 months.57.5%of them were hospitalization within 5 times.Respectively,23.8%and 13.2%patients had varying degrees of anxiety and depression.The age of 160 spouses ranged form 26 to 75 years old,the average age was 48.69 ± 9.27 years old;Most of them were at the education level in junior high school and above(78.8%);42.5%of the spouses lived in rural areas;56.9%households had per capita monthly income more than 1,000 yuan;10.0%spouses report having chronic diseases;14.4%spouses have experienced major life stress events in the last three months.2.Spouses' experience of care for breast cancer patients were:during hospitalization,spouse care was mainly accompanied by all day(86.9%);Post-discharge care time was 3-4 hours(56.9%);63.1%spouses had other family members to assist his care for patients;The vast majority of spouses told that they are most willing to take care of patients(93.8%).3.The mean score of spouses' caregiver burden was 20.20 ± 10.97,which is at the mild level of burden.The individual burden score was 11.64 ± 6.46 and the liability burden score was 4.61 ± 3.42.4.The mean score of spouses' social support was 40.58 ± 9.05,which were at the moderate level of social support generally.The objective support score was 9.69± 3.41,the subjective support score was 24.01 ± 5.43,and the support score was 6.88 ± 2.36.5.Spearman correlation analysis showed:The relationship between caregiver burden and social support was not identified in this study.6.Univariate analysis showed that caregiver burden was significant different fromin age group,place of residence,family income,caring for others,major stress events,spouses' knowledge of breast cancer,subjective support and medical insurance type,duration ware statistically significant(p<0.1).Multivariate analysis indicated that age,patients' insurance type and diagnosed duration were associated with caregiver burden.Age is negatively associated with caregiver burden wheares diagnosed duration is positively associated with caregiver burden.Spouse with patients having health insurance had higher caregiver burden than those with patients at their own expense.Univariate analysis also showed that the score of social support was significant difference among groups with different level of education,occupation,place of residence,per capita monthly income,assistance in care,participation in breast cancer lectures and patient health insurance(p<0.05).However,multivariate analysis implied that only education,assisted care,and participating in breast cancer education sessions were associated with social support.Spouse who are at higher education,or assisted by other family caregiver or have participated in breast cancer education session have higher social support.7.Among the four types of social support needs,the first priotized need was about the knowledge of breast cancer and the caring skills.Conclusions:1.In general,the caregiver burden for spouses of patients with breast cancer at mild level.Spouses' age,patients' health insurance type and duration of diagnosis were significantly associated with caregiver burden.2.Spouses had a medium level of overall social support.In the various dimensions of social support,the subjective support for spouse was at a high level,the social support utilization was in general level and the objective support was at a low level.Groups with highly educated,assisted by other family caregivers,having health insurance had a higher level of social support.3.Spearman correlation analysis showed:The relationship between caregiver burden and social support was not identified.4.Spouses' needs for social support were knowledge and skills of taking care of patients,psychological needs,social interaction needs and economic needs. |
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