BACKGROUND: Caregivers play an important role in the care of chronically ill patients. In order to be effective carers, it is essential that factors affecting their quality of life be measured.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the different factors (socio-demographic, patient, and caregiver) affecting family function and quality of life of primary caregivers of chronically-ill patients, De La Salle University Medical Center July-October 2014.

METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 104 primary caregivers of chronically-ill adult patients from the out-patient department, service and pay wards of De La Salle University Medical Center. Included in the study are primary caregivers aged 18 years and above. The days of interview with primary caregivers of chronically-ill patients at the OPD, service and pay wards were randomly selected. Three days per week were allotted for the interview. Medical charts of admitted adult patients at service and pay wards were reviewed to identify those suffering from chronic illness. All primary caregivers present during the day of interview who passed the inclusion criteria were included as participants after obtaining their consent for the study. An interview using an interview guide followed right after consent was given.

RESULTS: Among 104 primary caregivers of chronically-ill adult patients, 52.9% perceived their families as being highly functional, 28.8% moderately functional, 10.6% as being functionally at risk, 4.8% moderately dysfunctional and 2.9% severely dysfunctional. Majority (71.2%) reported to have a good quality of life. None of the caregivers screened positive for depression. Family function was found to be significantly associated with the number of household members (p-value: 0.01), relationship to patient (p-value: 0.03) and patient's age (p-value: 0.04). Quality of life was significantly associated with caregiver's age and relationship to patient. Family function and quality of life was significantly associated with each other (p-value: 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Majority of primary caregivers of chronically-ill adult patients perceived their families as highly functional. Among the socio-demographic, caregiver and patient factors included in the study, the only ones with significant association with family function are the number of household members, the caregiver's relationship to patient and the patient's age. Most of the primary caregivers reported to have a good quality of life. The only factors significantly associated with caregiver's quality of life are caregiver's age and relationship to patient. A significant association was found between quality of life and family function of primary caregivers. Adequacy of cohesion, as a subscale of family function, significanty improves.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Knowing the factors affecting family function and quality of life, and the development of family programs that will improve family function and promote good quality of life of primary caregivers are recommended.