Caregiver burden in family caregivers of individuals with cancer in Iran: an analytical cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with an increasing burden. Family caregivers, primarily family members, play a vital role in supporting individuals with cancer but frequently experience significant caregiver burden. This study aimed to identify and analyze the key predictors of caregiver burden among Iranian family caregivers of individuals with cancer.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Imam Reza Hospital in Tehran, Iran, in 2024. We recruited a convenience sample of 307 family caregivers of individuals with cancer. Eligibility criteria included being aged 18 years or older, providing unpaid care, and willingness to participate. In addition to caregiver-related data, patient-related data were also collected to provide a comprehensive understanding of the caregiving context. Data collection tools included an individual characteristics questionnaire, the Barthel Index to assess patient dependency, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) to measure caregiver burden. Barthel Index and CBI questionnaire was completed by caregivers based on their observations of the patient. Descriptive statistics, Independent t-tests, One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22.

Results: Most caregivers were female (74.3%) with a mean age of 43.19 ± 11.60 years, and 50.5% were unemployed. Among patients, 62.2% were female with a mean age of 56.49 ± 14.27 years. Gynecological (36.8%) and gastrointestinal (32.2%) cancers were most common. Caregivers providing over 12 h of care daily reported significantly higher burden scores compared to those who provided less than 12 h of care (P < 0.001). Caregivers with poor health or insufficient income also had higher burden scores (P = 0.016 and P = 0.011, respectively). Child/parent caregivers had higher burden scores than spouses (P = 0.023). Multivariate regression identified caregiving hours (β = - 5.553, SE = 2.231, P = 0.010 for < 6 h; β = - 5.571, SE = 1.946, P = 0.004 for 6-12 h vs. > 12 h), increased patient dependency (β = - 0.353, SE = 0.035, P < 0.001), and the absence of metastasis (β = - 4.680, SE = 1.946, P = 0.017) as key predictors of burden. Together, these variables explained 35.2% of the variance in caregiver burden (Adjusted R² = 0.352).

Conclusion: Caregiving hours, patient dependency, health, and financial strain are significant predictors of caregiver burden. Respite care services and financial support are critical to alleviate this burden. Future research should focus on longitudinal impacts and culturally tailored interventions to better support caregivers.