![]() Therefore, caregivers play a significant role in managing stroke survivors ( 11, 12). This increase will lead to a substantial economic burden, which is progressive in terms of the cost of physiotherapy and other medical care ( 16). In developing countries like Nigeria, there is increasing prevalence of stroke ( 14, 15). Moreover, it is expected that adult caregivers may present with MSP rather than adolescent caregivers, given that MSP such as LBP is highly prevalent among adults ( 13). Caregivers of stroke survivors are at great risk of developing musculoskeletal pain (MSP) such as low back pain (LBP) ( 11, 12), with female caregivers being more likely to be affected than their male counterparts ( 9, 12). Other effects of prolonged caregiving may include musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems ( 10). Provision of caregiving activities for a long period of time may negatively impact the caregivers economically, ranging from loss of hours of work to complete loss of jobs ( 9). The caregiving may include offering complete or partial assistance in carrying out common daily tasks such as transfer from bed to wheelchair, feeding, hygiene, and toileting among others ( 6). Depending on the severity of the condition, caregiving of stroke survivors requires significant effort over a prolonged period of time ( 8). It has been documented that about 87% of stroke survivors are usually dependent on family or caregivers to carry out their ADLs ( 6).Ī caregiver is a person who cares for the sick or disabled ( 7). Depending on the severity of the impairment, stroke survivors need support in performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and community participation ( 5). After stroke, sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments are common neurological issues ( 4). It occurs as a result of either occlusion or rupture of arterial blood supply to the brain ( 2), resulting in neurological impairments in which type and severity depend on the extent of the injury and the area of the brain affected ( 3). Stroke is among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality internationally ( 1). Stroke Informal Caregivers Caregiving Musculoskeletal Pain Low Back Pain Prevalence 1. ![]() It is recommended that physiotherapists and nurses in northwestern Nigeria should educate informal caregivers of stroke survivors on proper ergonomics and other MSP preventive strategies. Low back pain is the most common occurring MSP among informal caregivers of stroke survivors and is associated with duration of caregiving, nature of caregiving, and several sociodemographic characteristics.
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