Caregivers in Cartagena and the Context for Providing Care: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Objective: To compare the socio-demographic characteristics and the relationship established by caregivers in Cartagena (Colombia) who work with children and adults with chronic, disabling illnesses. Method: A transversal quantitative-descriptive study. For convenience, a non-probability sampling method was applied between 2006 and 2007. Three hundred (300) caregivers took part: 98 working with chronically ill children and 202 working with chronically ill adults. The caregiver characterization survey was used. A multiple correspondence factor analysis was employed to describe the associations between the selected variables. Results: Being a caregiver for children is associated with being a parent, performing the role of caregiver during 37 months or more, dedication to domestic activities, and being part of a common law marriage. Being a caregiver for adults is associated with older patients, having spent 36 months or more as a caregiver, being the patient’s offspring, and being married. Conclusions: Socio-economic level, marital status and time dedicated to providing care were the variables that most differentiate the two groups of caregivers. The group of caregivers working with adults showed the most variability in the different categories studied.