The relationship between care burden and quality of life in caregivers of hemodialysis patients

Caregivers of hemodialysis patients endure a significant caring pressure as a result of caring for patients with chronic illness, which can affect their quality of life. Disruptions in the quality of life of these caregivers impose double pressure on them and disrupt the care process. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the level of care burden and its relationship with quality of life of caregivers of hemodialysis patients. In this descriptive-analytical study, 246 caregivers of hemodialysis patients were enrolled by census method, so that, all patients and caregivers who attended the study environment at morning, evening and night participated in the study. The study tool was a three-part questionnaire, which included personal information, Novak & Guest Care burden Questionnaire, and WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive, statistical and inferential tests. In total, 37.4% of caregivers were experiencing high and very high levels of care burden and 42.7% of them were experiencing a moderate level of care burden. The mean and standard deviation of the quality of life of caregivers was 76.27 ± 13.67 out of 130. There was a significant and negative correlation between the total scores of care burden and quality of life (r = - 0. 436, P