Factors influencing depression in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury and caregivers' perceived burden in a low-income country: a cross-sectional study.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

Objectives: To investigate factors influencing depressed mood in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and caregivers' perceived burden in a low-income country.

Setting: Dhulikhel Hospital and Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center, Nepal.

Methods: We recruited 95 couples (one person with spinal cord injury and one caregiver) aged 18-65 years. Participants with various levels and types of TSCI with post-injury duration of or providing care for ≥1 month were eligible for the study. The Nepali Beck Depression Inventory and the Zarit Burden Interview-12 were used to identify depressed mood of those with TSCI and caregivers burden, respectively. Linear regression analyses to explore associations was performed.

Results: Mean ages of the individuals with TSCI and caregivers were 34.8 (11.0) and 33.6 (12.3) years, respectively. Most of the participants with TSCI were male (67.4%) and (73.7%) had paraplegia. The caregivers were predominantly female (61.1%). Depressed mood was seen in 68% of those with TSCI, and burden was reported by 91.6% of caregivers. Depressed mood was significantly associated with gender, education, lesion type, and duration since the injury. Caregiver burden was associated with occupation, education, level of injury, length of care, and depressed mood level in the person with TSCI. Economic burden was found to be the highest (71.5%) followed by responsibility (22.2%) and time-related (6.3%) burden.

Conclusions: The prevalence of depressed mood among individuals with TSCI and the burden of caregiving among caregivers was high. Depressed mood in those with TSCI was associated with caregiver burden. Country-specific contextual factors need to be considered in deriving rehabilitation protocols.