Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristic of caregivers
Demographic characteristics | Frequency n (%) | Mean ± SD |
|---|---|---|
Age (years) |  | 48.78 ± 12.99 |
Gender | ||
 Male | 74 (29.7) |  |
 Female | 175 (70.3) |  |
Ethnicity | ||
 Malay | 127 (51) |  |
 Chinese | 87 (34.9) |  |
 Indian | 29 (11.6) |  |
 Others | 6 (2.4) |  |
Having a religion / faith | ||
 Yes | 232 (93.2) |  |
 No | 17 (6.8) |  |
Highest education level | ||
 None | 3 (1.2) |  |
 Primary school | 17 (6.8) |  |
 Secondary school | 139 (55.8) |  |
 College/University | 90 (36.1) |  |
Employment status | ||
 Employed for wages | 91 (36.5) |  |
 Self-employed | 36 (14.5) |  |
 Retired | 24 (9.6) |  |
 Housewife | 51 (20.5) |  |
 Not working | 47 (18.9) |  |
Marital status | ||
 Married | 187 (75.1) |  |
 Unmarried | 51 (20.5) |  |
 Divorced | 10 (4) |  |
 Widowed | 1 (0.4) |  |
Income status | ||
 Low income | 195 (78.3) |  |
 Middle income | 47 (18.9) |  |
 High income | 7 (2.8) |  |
Other caregiving responsibilities | ||
 Yes | 93 (37.3) |  |
 No | 156 (62.7) |  |
Relationship with patient | ||
 Spouse | 85 (34.1) |  |
 • Husband | 25 (10) |  |
 • Wife | 60 (24) |  |
 Children | 123 (49.4) |  |
 Daughter/son in law | 12 (4.8) |  |
 Grandchildren | 7 (2.8) |  |
 Maid | 5 (2.0) |  |
 Friend | 2 (0.8) |  |
 Niece | 4 (1.6) |  |
 Parents | 7 (2.8) |  |
 Siblings | 4 (1.6) |  |
Underlying medical illness | ||
 Yes | 77 (30.9) |  |
 No | 172 (69.1) |  |
Staying together with patient | ||
 Yes | 200 (80.3) |  |
 No | 49 (19.7) |  |
Paid to take care of this patient | ||
 Yes | 22 (8.8) |  |
 No | 227 (91.2) |  |
Total hours caregiving per day | ||
 0–13 | 113 (45.4) |  |
 14–24 | 136 (54.6) |  |