TABLE 1.
Demographic characteristics of the carers.
| Variables | Frequency (N = 50) | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Age of carer (years) | ||
| 20–29 | 9 | 18.0 |
| 30–39 | 7 | 14.0 |
| 40–49 | 10 | 20.0 |
| 50–59 | 11 | 22.0 |
| 60+ | 13 | 26.0 |
| Sex | ||
| Male | 14 | 28.0 |
| Female | 36 | 72.0 |
| Marital status | ||
| Single | 16 | 32.0 |
| Married | 31 | 62.0 |
| Divorced or separated | 3 | 6.0 |
| Level of education | ||
| Basic | 19 | 38.0 |
| Secondary | 18 | 36.0 |
| Tertiary | 10 | 20.0 |
| None | 3 | 6.0 |
| Religion | ||
| Christian | 47 | 94.0 |
| Muslim | 3 | 6.0 |
| Employment status | ||
| Formal | 9 | 18.0 |
| Informal | 17 | 34.0 |
| Self-employed | 5 | 10.0 |
| Unemployed | 19 | 38.0 |
| Comorbidity of caregiver | ||
| Hypertension | 10 | 20.0 |
| Stroke | 1 | 2.0 |
| None | 39 | 78.0 |
| Number of children | ||
| 0–2 | 23 | 46.0 |
| 3–5 | 21 | 42.0 |
| 6+ | 6 | 12.0 |
| Payment for care | ||
| Yes | 4 | 8.0 |
| No | 46 | 92.0 |
| Number of hours spent with patient in a day | ||
| < 12 | 19 | 38.0 |
| ≥ 12 | 31 | 62.0 |
| Years of engagement | ||
| < 1 | 14 | 28.0 |
| 1–5 | 28 | 56.0 |
| > 5 | 8 | 16.0 |
| Number of people taking care of patient aside carer | ||
| 0 | 13 | 26.0 |
| 1–2 | 33 | 66.0 |
| ≥ 3 | 4 | 8.0 |
| Relationship with patient | ||
| Family member† | 49 | 98.0 |
| Worker (hired) | 1 | 0.2 |
Note: Age of carer (years): Mean = 48.8, s.d. = ± 16.9, range = 20–87. Number of hours spent with patient in a day: Mean = 12.3, s.d. = ± 6.3, range = 2–24. Years of engagement: Median duration = 2, range = 0.6, 28.0.
†
, Includes son, daughter, mother, uncle, brother, sister and grandchild.