Factors Explaining Quality of Life among Family Caregivers of People with Stroke in Myanmar: A Cross-sectional Study

Authors

  • May Sein Ba RN, PhD (Candidate), Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nursing (International Program), Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital and Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand and Lecturer, Nursing Training School (East, Yangon), Yangon.
  • Supreeda Monkong RN, PhD (Nursing), Associate Professor, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Sirirat Leelacharas RN, PhD (Nursing), Assistant Professor, Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand.
  • Pratana Satitvipawee PhD (Public Health), Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand.

Keywords:

Burden, Caregivers, Myanmar, Quality of life, Stroke, Telenursing

Abstract

           Advanced health care systems have led to increased survival among people with stroke; however, the disability level remains high. Caring for the people with stroke and consequent disabling conditions places an undue strain on their caregivers, which may, in turn, reduce their quality of life, subsequently affecting the quality of care. Thus, understanding the factors explaining the quality of life is needed to design interventions to improve the quality of life among caregivers. This correlational study was conducted among 303 family caregivers of people with stroke three months after being discharged from hospital to home from three general hospitals in Myanmar. Six validated instruments were used to collect caregiver data: a demographic questionnaire, the Barthel Index, the Zarit Burden Interview, The Brief COPE, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the World Health Organization Quality of Life –Brief (WHOQOL-BREF). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analysis.
           Results indicated that educational and occupational status of caregivers, average family income per month, numbers of caregiving hours per day, functional status of people with stroke, the burden of caregivers, and perceived social support were significantly accounted for 84% of the variance to the quality of life, which is very high. The burden was the most significant factor in explaining the quality of life, followed by education and perceived social support. Nurses need to apply innovative technology to provide continuous care at home, especially in the first three months, to reduce caregivers’ burden. Also, the Myanmar government needs to strengthen health insurance systems to reduce the financial burden, which significantly affects the quality of life of the caregivers.

Author Biography

May Sein Ba, RN, PhD (Candidate), Doctor of Philosophy Program in Nursing (International Program), Ramathibodi School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital and Faculty of Nursing, Mahidol University, Thailand and Lecturer, Nursing Training School (East, Yangon), Yangon.



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Published

2022-03-05

How to Cite

1.
May Sein Ba, Monkong S, Leelacharas S, Satitvipawee P. Factors Explaining Quality of Life among Family Caregivers of People with Stroke in Myanmar: A Cross-sectional Study. PRIJNR [Internet]. 2022 Mar. 5 [cited 2024 Oct. 6];26(2):355-69. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/PRIJNR/article/view/256523

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