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Background <p>Caring for palliative patients imposes a significant burden, as caregivers must provide physical, psychological, social, and spiritual support. Identifying ways to support informal caregivers is essential for improving their quality of life as well as that of the patients. This study aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of social support and psychological distress, and to explore their relationship among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care at Nkhoma Mission Hospital and Neno District Hospital in rural Malawi.</p> Methods <p>A total of 308 adult caregivers of adult palliative patients attending services at Nkhoma Mission Hospital and Neno District Hospital were recruited between November 2022 and February 2023. Data were collected using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Categorical data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation. Logistic regression was used to determine significant associations.</p> Results <p>Of the 308 participants, 176 (57.1%) reported receiving social support, and 129 (41.9%) experienced psychological distress. Caregivers at Nkhoma were over six times more likely to report receiving social support compared to those at Neno (odds ratio [OR] 6.7; 95% CI: 3.1–14.4; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Female caregivers were more than twice as likely to report receiving social support (relative risk [RR] 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2–4.4; <i>p</i> = 0.016). Higher levels of psychological distress were more likely to be reported among caregivers who received support from friends (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3–3.8; <i>p</i> = 0.004) or significant others (OR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4; <i>p</i> = 0.023), compared to those supported by family members (OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.7–2.0; <i>p</i> = 0.562).</p> Conclusions <p>This study reveals a substantial burden of psychological distress among informal caregivers of palliative patients in rural Malawi, with notable differences in social support based on gender and geographic location. To better support these caregivers, community-based programs that promote social connectedness are recommended, alongside the routine screening for psychological distress within palliative care services.</p>

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Social support and psychological distress among family caregivers of palliative patients at two rural hospitals in Malawi: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年12月12日

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  • Ian Matandika,
  • Modai Mnenula,
  • Prosper Lutala

摘要

Background

Caring for palliative patients imposes a significant burden, as caregivers must provide physical, psychological, social, and spiritual support. Identifying ways to support informal caregivers is essential for improving their quality of life as well as that of the patients. This study aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of social support and psychological distress, and to explore their relationship among family caregivers of patients receiving palliative care at Nkhoma Mission Hospital and Neno District Hospital in rural Malawi.

Methods

A total of 308 adult caregivers of adult palliative patients attending services at Nkhoma Mission Hospital and Neno District Hospital were recruited between November 2022 and February 2023. Data were collected using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Categorical data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, while continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation. Logistic regression was used to determine significant associations.

Results

Of the 308 participants, 176 (57.1%) reported receiving social support, and 129 (41.9%) experienced psychological distress. Caregivers at Nkhoma were over six times more likely to report receiving social support compared to those at Neno (odds ratio [OR] 6.7; 95% CI: 3.1–14.4; p < 0.001). Female caregivers were more than twice as likely to report receiving social support (relative risk [RR] 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2–4.4; p = 0.016). Higher levels of psychological distress were more likely to be reported among caregivers who received support from friends (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3–3.8; p = 0.004) or significant others (OR 1.9; 95% CI: 1.1–3.4; p = 0.023), compared to those supported by family members (OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.7–2.0; p = 0.562).

Conclusions

This study reveals a substantial burden of psychological distress among informal caregivers of palliative patients in rural Malawi, with notable differences in social support based on gender and geographic location. To better support these caregivers, community-based programs that promote social connectedness are recommended, alongside the routine screening for psychological distress within palliative care services.