Factors Influencing Burden of Palliative and End of Life Care among Informal Caregivers of People with Cancer in a Tertiary Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Informal caregivers provide the bulk of palliative and end‑of‑life (PEOL) support across settings, yet they face substantial psychological, financial, and physical burden, especially in Nigeria, where formal support is limited and family involvement is high. Objective: To assess factors influencing caregiver burden and the perceived effects of burden among informal caregivers of cancer patients at a tertiary hospital in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Methods: In this cross‑sectional study, 273 adult informal caregivers (aged ≥ 18 years) were recruited using convenience sampling. Data collection involved a standardized burden scale and a structured questionnaire measuring four domains, social support, care‑recipient dependency, financial constraints, and self‑efficacy. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, range) identified key burden factors and ranked perceived effects. Results: Financial strain (mean 8.83 ± 2.21), care‑recipient dependency (mean 8.61 ± 1.46), and limited social support (mean 6.93 ± 1.23) emerged as major contributors to caregiver burden. Self‑efficacy scored below threshold and was not a significant burden factor. Among perceived effects, psychological strain was highest (mean 13.20 ± 4.0), followed by physical (mean 11.71 ± 3.3) and social effects (mean 9.90 ± 3.0), with an overall burden score of 34.81 ± 6.8. Conclusion: In this tertiary‑care setting, caregiver burden is driven primarily by financial challenges, dependency demands, and inadequate support, with psychological and physical effects most pronounced. Healthcare professionals should routinely assess and support informal caregivers to mitigate these stressors and improve well‑being.