Paper Contents
Abstract
AbstractBackground:Caregivers of hospitalized cancer patients often face significant emotional, physical, and financial stress, particularly in resource-limited settings like India. The present study aims to assess the levels, sources, and predictors of stress among caregivers in a tertiary care hospital.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 primary caregivers of cancer patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Central India. The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were used to assess caregiver burden and psychological stress. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied.Results:Among 150 caregivers, 64% reported moderate to severe burden. High stress levels (GHQ-12 score 4) were significantly associated with lower socioeconomic status, female gender, and longer duration of caregiving. 71% reported financial distress, 55% experienced sleep disturbances, and 43% had symptoms of anxiety or depression.Conclusion:Caregiver stress is highly prevalent and multifactorial among families of hospitalized cancer patients in India. Structured support programs and counseling services should be integrated into cancer care.Keywords: caregiver burden, cancer, stress, hospitalization, India, psychological distress
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Copyright © 2025 Shristi Jaiswal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
