Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39009993›Full record

ArticleBMC geriatrics2024

Psychological distress among family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Uganda.

Joy Louise Gumikiriza-Onoria, Janet Nakigudde, Roy William Mayega, Bruno Giordani, Martha Sajatovic, Mark Kaddu Mukasa, Dennis Buwembo, Kamada Lwere, Noeline Nakasujja

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC geriatrics, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Dementia knowledge and caregiver burden among carers of older adults in rural eastern Uganda.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2025
    Article
  9. Article
  10. Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
  14. Article
  15. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Joy Louise Gumikiriza-OnoriaDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda. joyonoria@gmail.com.
Janet NakiguddeDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Roy William MayegaDepartment of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of public Health, Kampala, Kampala, Uganda.
Bruno GiordaniDepartment of Psychiatry; University of Michigan Faculty Ombuds; Associate Director, Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Center; Senior Director of the Mary A. Rackham Institute (MARI), Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Martha SajatovicNeurological and Behavioral Outcomes Center, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Mark Kaddu MukasaDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Dennis BuwemboDepartment of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of public Health, Kampala, Kampala, Uganda.
Kamada LwereDepartment of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.
Noeline NakasujjaDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda.

Funding

Research training and mentorship to strengthen brain health across the lifespan in Uganda.D43NS118560 · NINDS · MAKERERE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES · PI KADDUMUKASA, MARK, KATABIRA, ELLY T · 2020 to 2024
$1.1M
NINDS NIH HHS D43 NS118560
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) present growing global health challenges, especially in aging populations, such as Uganda. In Uganda, familial caregiving, predominantly undertaken by female relatives, is the primary form of support provided to patients with ADRD. Cultural stigma around dementia and limited access to support services amplify caregivers' challenges. This study examined psychological distress, depression, and quality of life (QoL) among family caregivers of patients with ADRD in Wakiso District, Uganda.

methodsThis cross-sectional study involved 90 caregivers from three sub-counties in Wakiso, selected through purposive sampling to capture diverse experiences. Participants included caregivers aged 18 years and older who were knowledgeable and had cared for a person with ADRD for not less than six months, with those providing more than 70% of physical care being prioritised. Data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, the Caregiver Dementia Quality of Life Measurement Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, with an 80% response rate achieved through local collaboration. The statistical analyses focused on psychological distress, QoL, and depression.

resultsThe study included 82.2% females and 17.8% males, with a median age of 52 years for females and 35 years, respectively. Females were more likely to be single or widowed, whereas males were more likely to be married. The study revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress and depression among caregivers (64.4%) regardless of sex. The analysis indicated that having children was a significant predictor of better QoL (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.79-5.66, p = 0.034) and a lower risk of depression (OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.01-0.86, p = 0.036). No other sociodemographic factors were significantly associated with health outcomes across the models.

conclusionOur findings revealed a heavy burden of psychological distress and depression among Ugandan caregivers of patients with ADRD, highlighting the need for structured support systems, including mental health services and gender-responsive interventions in low-resource settings.

Indexed as

Alzheimer DiseaseCaregiversDementiaPsychological DistressQuality of LifeAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesDepressionFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedStress, PsychologicalUgandaAlzheimer’s diseaseCaregiver stressDepressionFamilial caregivingPsychological distressQuality of life (QoL)Related dementias (ADRD)Uganda

Identifiers

PMID39009993
PMCPMC11247816

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.