Prevalence of Depression among Caregivers of Patients of Schizophrenia, at a Tertiary care Teaching Hospital: a Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

This paper examines the prevalence of depression among caregivers of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, a chronic psychiatric condition that requires sustained care and attention. Family members who take on caregiving responsibilities often face overwhelming emotional and psychological challenges, which can lead to the development of mental health concerns, particularly depression. The study was carried out over a period of six months at the Department of Psychiatry, Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan. Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 133 caregivers who met the inclusion criteria were selected through consecutive sampling. Depression levels were assessed using the Urdu version of the Beck Depression Inventory. The results showed that a considerable number of caregivers were experiencing symptoms of depression. Factors such as gender, level of education, monthly income, and the amount of time spent in the caregiving role were found to be closely related to the presence of depressive symptoms. These findings draw attention to the emotional toll of caregiving and emphasize the importance of providing psychological support to caregivers as an essential part of comprehensive care for patients with schizophrenia.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, caregivers, depression, Beck Depression Inventory, mental health, cross-sectional study.