Caretaker Burden in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome in Nepal: A Teaching Hospital Based Study

Caretaker Burden in Alcohol Dependence Syndrome

Abstract

 Background: Family plays a key role in the care of patients with mental illnesses. This is especially very true in Nepal because of various factors like the tradition of interdependence, the concern for the family, and the lack of sufficientmental health professionals. Subjects and Methods: A total 75 patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome and their 75 caretakers according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Out of the cases of 75 cases of alcohol dependence syndrome taken for study, majority were found to be in the age range of 3039 years (37.3%) followed by 4049 years (54.7%). In total, 61.6% were Upper caste, 29.3% Adibasi-Janajati and 9.3% were from a Others. Around 60.0% cases belonged to a nuclear family, 38.7% to joint family, and 1.33% had extended family.40(53.3%)  patients reported mild dependence, 23(30.7%) patients moderate dependence, 11(14.7%) patients severe dependence, and only 1(1.3%) patients very severe dependence. Conclusion: We found that there is significant burden for caretakers. In addition, the caretaker burden and severity of dependence were positively correlated with high level of significance. Therefore, while treating alcoholics, it is important to alleviate the burden of the caretakers which in turn will lead to better treatment effectiveness.