We carried out this study in order to promote holistic management of cancer patients in our context by taking
account of the burden of caregiving on the patient’s family and friends. It was a cross-sectional, observational study of 72 patient/caregiver dyads that included patients followed at Yalgado Ouedraogo University Hospital, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, for at least one month as outpatients for confirmed cancer and their primary caregiver from May-October 2021. A survey questionnaire was used as a guide for a standardized interview of the primary caregivers. The variables collected from the caregivers related to sociodemographic characteristics, the relationship of the caregiver to the patient and the caregiver’s level of information concerning their patient’s disease. The roles taken on by the caregivers were collected. Caregiver burden was assessed using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment questionnaire (CRA). Mean scores of the CRA dimensions were compared according to selected patient/caregiver characteristics. Mean age in the patient group was 52.6 years and in the caregiver group 41.4 years (p = 0.00001). The majority of patients were women (72.5%) whereas the majority of caregivers were men (69.3%).
Salaried employees were more numerous in the caregiver group (45.2%) than in the patient group (17.7%) (p = 0.001). In 53% of dyads, the relationship was parent/child. Administrative formalities and emotional support were the main tasks undertaken by the primary caregivers. Strength of the parental bond, living in the same home, and knowledge of the seriousness of the patient’s illness had a significant impact on CRA scores. In our setting, we need to reflect on measures to lighten the burden of the cancer patient’s caregiver.

Patient Caregivers, Cancer, Proximology, Burkina Faso