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Exploring the burden on family caregivers in providing care for their mentally ill relatives in the Upper East Region of Ghana

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  • Dennis Bomansang Daliri
  • Agani Afaya
  • Timothy Tienbia Laari
  • Nancy Abagye
  • Gifty Apiung Aninanya

Abstract

Caring for the mentally ill involves numerous challenges, including financial difficulties, stigma, and psychosocial issues, among others. Unpaid family caregivers must endure these challenges as they continue their care for their relatives with mental illness. Despite these burdens and their concomitant effects on both the patients and their caregivers, there is no evidence of this burden in the Bolgatanga municipality. This study explored the burden on family caregivers providing care for mentally ill relatives in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study employed a phenomenological research design. Fifteen family caregivers were purposively sampled from two secondary-level health facilities. In-depth interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. NVivo 12 pro software was used for data analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted following Braun and Clarke’s approach. The study identified three themes including social, physical, and psychological burdens. Under social burden, financial challenges and stigma were identified, weight loss was identified as a physical burden, and poor concentration as a psychological burden. These themes represent the challenges encountered by the family caregivers as they provided care for their mentally ill relatives. There is a need to provide support for family caregivers including respite, formation of support groups, and financial support to alleviate family caregivers of the burdens they endure. Additionally, it is imperative to integrate mental health services into the national health insurance scheme to alleviate the financial burden on family caregivers.

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Bomansang Daliri & Agani Afaya & Timothy Tienbia Laari & Nancy Abagye & Gifty Apiung Aninanya, 2024. "Exploring the burden on family caregivers in providing care for their mentally ill relatives in the Upper East Region of Ghana," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(4), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pgph00:0003075
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Benjamin Saunders & Julius Sim & Tom Kingstone & Shula Baker & Jackie Waterfield & Bernadette Bartlam & Heather Burroughs & Clare Jinks, 2018. "Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1893-1907, July.
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