Abstract
Caring for patients with schizophrenia places an enormous economic burden on the caregivers. The magnitude of this problem remains largely unknown in the developing countries. The objective of this study was to determine the Level of the burden reported by caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. A prospective cross sectional study was conducted by using total of 100 patients and their caregivers attending the Hospital. Caregivers were interviewed, using a socio-demographic data collection sheet and the Zarith Burden Interview (ZBI).The majority of patients suffered were in the age group of 30-40 years and males are most commonly affected. Most of the caregivers were females. A severe level of burden was found in 37% of respondents. The level of burden experienced was significantly associated with place of residence and family size. Schizophrenia is associated with a high level of caregiver burden. So rational therapy with in the economic range of patients were provided along with the appropriate counselling in order to alleviate the burden for better outcomes in both patients and caregivers.
