Caregiver Preparedness and Associated Factors in First-Ever Post-Stroke Dysphagia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the level of caregiver preparedness among family caregivers of patients with first-ever post-stroke dysphagia and to identify factors associated with preparedness. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 154 family caregivers of stroke patients with dysphagia. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire and the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS). Because CPS scores were not normally distributed, the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis H test were used for univariate analysis. Variables with P < 0.05 in univariate analyses were further entered into a multiple linear regression model. Results: The total CPS score was 15.69±3.81. The highest-scoring item was “overall preparedness to care for the patient” (2.47±0.88), while the lowest-scoring items were “access to medical resources” (1.30±0.79) and “coping with caregiving stress” (1.45±0.67). Univariate analysis showed that feeding method, caregiver–patient relationship, cohabitation status, and receipt of dysphagia-related caregiving guidance were significantly associated with caregiver preparedness (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that feeding method and receipt of dysphagia-related caregiving guidance were independently associated with caregiver preparedness (both P < 0.01). Conclusion: Family caregivers of stroke patients with dysphagia have a relatively low level of caregiver preparedness, with notable deficiencies in accessing medical resources and managing caregiving stress. Structured dysphagia-related education and continuous professional support may help strengthen caregiver preparedness; however, further longitudinal or interventional studies are needed to verify causal effects.