Turkish Archives of Pediatrics
Original Article

Hemophilia Caregiver Burden in a Low Socioeconomic Region of Turkey

1.

Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Medical Park Bahçelievler Hospital, Altınbaş University, İstanbul, Turkey

2.

Department of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Çiğli Education and Training Hospital, Bakırçay University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

3.

Department of Pediatric Hematolgy and Oncology, İstanbul Aydın University Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey

Turk Arch Pediatr 2023; 58: 618-624
DOI: 10.5152/TurkArchPediatr.2023.23129
Read: 668 Downloads: 373 Published: 06 October 2023

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the caregiver burden of parents of hemophilia patients and related factors in the southeast region of Turkey, where access to a regular healthcare facility is more complicated than in other areas.

Materials and Methods: Twenty-six caregivers of patients with hemophilia were consecutively enrolled in this non-interventional study. Caregiver burden is measured using the "HemophiliaAssociated Caregiver Burden Scale" (HEMOCAB).

Results: Hemophilia affects 65.4% of caregivers emotionally, and 92.3% feel the burden caused by financial problems related to hemophilia. The perception of the patients by caregivers was negative in the groups of low educational degree and unstable employment status (P = .037 and P = .017, respectively). The employment status and job changes influence the caregiver burden because of hemophilia (P = .034 and P = .001, respectively). The groups of those who spent greater than 5 hours for transportation to the hemophilia treatment center (HTC) had a higher burden (P = .001). Multiple linear regression analysis analyzed variables affecting HEMOCAB, frequency, and burden total scores. The model created with the burden total score was statistically significant (P = .047).

Conclusion: The main factors affecting caregiver burden were educational status, working conditions, and economic difficulties, as well as the length of infusion times and transfer to HTCs. There is a need to develop socioeconomic policies related to these problems.

Cite this article as: Zengin Ersoy G, Ertekin M, Dikme G. Hemophilia caregiver burden in a low socioeconomic region of Turkey. Turk Arch Pediatr. 2023;58(6):618-624.

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