Effects of a psychosocial intervention on the quality of life of primary caregivers of women with breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer among women in Nigeria. The care of such patients has shifted from hospital-based care to home and community care, with the resultant increase in responsibility and burden on caregivers. The study aimed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention programme on the quality of life (QOL) and caregiver burden of the primary caregivers of women with breast cancer.

METHOD: This was a quasi-experimental study with 108 primary caregivers (54 in both intervention and control groups). The intervention comprised six 90-min educational sessions, held weekly. Topics included information about breast cancer, the emotional aspect of caring, adjustment to the role of caregiver and communication strategies. The intervention group received the psychosocial intervention programme in addition to routine care, and the control group received routine care. Primary outcome (caregiver burden) and caregiver QOL were measured using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) at baseline, week six and week 12.

RESULTS: The psychosocial intervention reduced caregiver burden at both T1 and T2 (p = 0.000, p = 0.018 respectively) and improved the caregiver QOL (p = 0.000, p = 0.020 respectively) in the intervention group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION: The psychosocial intervention programme had a positive effect on caregiver burden and QOL. Issues such as sustainability of such programmes and advocacy relating to caregiver burden need further research.