WHO CARES FOR PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA? SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY CAREGIVERS IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL
Keywords:
Schizophrenia, Primary Caregivers, Sociodemographic Characteristics, Caregiving Responsibilities, NigeriaAbstract
Caregivers play a critical role in the long-term management of patients with
schizophrenia, yet the sociocultural and demographic determinants shaping their experiences
remain underexplored in many low-resource settings. This study aimed to assess the pattern of
sociodemographic characteristics of primary caregivers of outpatients with schizophrenia in a
Nigerian tertiary hospital. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed, and 244 eligible
primary caregivers were recruited (October 2022 to January 2023). Data were collected using a
structured questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics and caregiving commitments,
while the Psychotic Module of MINI-Plus (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) was
used to re-validate schizophrenia diagnosis in care recipients. Caregivers were aged 20–63 years
with a mean of 44.7 ± 12.0 years. Almost two-thirds (65.2%) were at least 40 years old, about half
(46.7%) had a tertiary level of education, and the majority (89.3%) were occupationally engaged.
A total of 15.6% had provided care for more than 60 months, and over a quarter (26.2%) committed
36 hours or more per week in the caregiving role. While 41.0% provided care for persons with
whom the kinship duration was over 30 years, 61.1% were either parents or siblings. Nearly three-
fifths (59.8%) financed patients' care by themselves, and a quarter (25.0%) reported receiving no
support in the caregiving role. The pattern of caregiver sociodemographic characteristics observed
in this study suggests that schizophrenia care in Nigeria is sustained largely by middle-aged,
economically active family members who assume long-term, high-intensity caregiving roles with
limited support. These findings underscore the necessity for mental health policies that extend
beyond patient-focused care to incorporate structured, caregiver-centred interventions aimed at
financial protection, psychosocial support, and work-compatible service delivery.
