A cluster analysis to explore the burden of primary caregivers of children with cancer in Oman

Purpose

Few studies have sought to evaluate the risk burden of primary caregivers, particularly in Oman. This study aimed to explore whether different risk patterns of caregiver burden exist among the primary caregivers of Omani children with leukemia.

Design and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between May and November 2020. A total of 101 primary caregivers of children with leukemia were recruited from a public hospital in Oman. The Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) was used to assess caregiver burden.

Results

A two-step cluster analysis indicated that the cohort was not homogeneous (silhouette value: 1.41). Caregivers in Cluster 1 (n = 42; 41.6%) were relatively older, less educated, and had a higher caregiving burden (mean CBI score: 37.7 ± 19.9). In contrast, caregivers in Cluster 2 (n = 59; 58.4%) were younger, more highly educated, and had a moderate caregiving burden (mean CBI score: 26.3 ± 13.6). As such, Clusters 1 and 2 were characterized as the “high-risk” and “moderate-risk” burden groups, respectively.

Practice Implications

This study highlights the need for a policy draft to target and reduce the caregiver burden in Oman, Nursing professionals should seek to develop and implement customized care depending on the caregiver risk burden, including additional financial, psychological, and physical support. They should seek to stratify caregivers by risk burden as some groups may require additional support. However, in light of recent precautionary measures due to the current pandemic situation, such services will have to be provided online or via telephone instead of in person for the foreseeable future.