Role Strain and Caring Behavior in Caregivers of Cervical Cancer Patients

Cancer is a major public health issue may affect all ages, and represents a huge burden not only for individuals but also for their families and their societies. The impact on various aspects of the family caregiver's quality of life is significant throughout the trajectory of the illness and may affect the long term psychologic health of the caregiver.

A study was planned (1) to assess the level of role strain and caring behavior (2) and to compare the role strain and caring behavior with their socio demographic characteristics.

It was an explorative study in which information about role strain and caring behavior were obtained from 50 caregivers of cervical cancer patients at Oncology ward of Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni (Bk), Maharashtra. The Medical Superintendent and Head of Department were contacted and permission to conduct study was obtained. Informed consent from the participants was obtained. Self prepared and pre tested rating scales were used for the assessment. The data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings revealed that majority (56%) of care givers had mild level of role strain followed by (40%) had moderate level. However 70% of them had good caring behavior, while 30% had adequate caring behavior. The role strain was significantly associated with socio demographic characteristics like age, education, and monthly income of care giver whereas the caring behavior was associated with age and education of care giver.

Though the care givers of cervical cancer patients had role strain; the caring behaviour was good, promising and supportive. Thereby the cancer patients lead an improved quality of life and longer survival.