Experiences Of Family Caregivers Of Patients With End Stage Renal Disease In The Accra Metropolis, Ghana.

Abstract

End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) has been on the rise and is a major public health concern. It affects both family caregivers and their patients adversely. The near-death nature of ESRD coupled with its impact on quality of life has compelled family caregivers to provide needed care from as basic as personal hygiene to complex care like wound care both in and out of health facilities. The level of participation of these family caregivers, however, is undefined and their experiences in their caregiving role are not properly understood. This among other challenges has confused the role played. Given this, the study sought to explore the experiences of family caregivers of patients with ESRD using the Caregiver Health Model. This study employed an exploratory descriptive qualitative design situated within the constructivist paradigm. Purposive sampling technique aided in the recruitment of fifteen (15) participants from The Trust Hospital. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide via a face-to-face interview model. The interviews were audio-recorded. Thematic Analysis was used to review interviews, code, and group the themes. Thematic analysis was aided by using constructs of the caregiver health model while ensuring the trustworthiness of data was through member check. Family Caregiver experiences were reflected in the narratives, which highlighted caregivers’ needs, tasks, competencies, beliefs, attitudes, and health behaviors as was expected. According to study findings, Family caregivers encountered numerous challenges which they believed could be bearable with support. An emergent theme was identified overreaching the constructs of the used framework.