Assessing Caregiver Burden in Relatives of Patients Undergoing Dialysis in Civil Hospital Hyderabad

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) present a growing global health burden, with dialysis being a critical yet demanding treatment. In resource-constrained settings like Pakistan, caregiving responsibilities often fall on family members who face emotional, social, physical, and financial stressors. Despite their vital role, limited research exists on the extent of caregiver burden in such settings. This study aimed to assess the level and types of burden experienced by caregivers of dialysis patients at Civil Hospital, Hyderabad.A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 35 primary caregivers selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a demographic questionnaire and the ZBI-12 tool, which assesses emotional, social, and time-dependency burdens.Most caregivers (62.9%) experienced a moderate burden, while 20.0% reported mild and 17.1% severe burden. Emotional burden had the highest correlation with overall burden (r = 0.924, p < 0.01), followed by time-dependency (r = 0.724) and social burden (r = 0.732). The study revealed a significant caregiving burden, particularly related to emotional and time-dependent stress, among relatives of dialysis patients. Findings highlight the urgent need for caregiver-centered interventions, such as psychosocial support, educational programs, and institutional policies that address financial and emotional challenges in dialysis care settings.