Published in PLOS One on 2026-04-24, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Adamu Kenea, Sudhakar N. Morankar
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0345260
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Family caregivers of individuals with mental disorders experience significant financial, emotional, and psychological burden, particularly in low-resource settings with limited access to formal mental health services. Although psychoeducation is an effective strategy for reducing caregiver burden, evidence from low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, remains scarce.
To assess the effectiveness of a structured psychoeducation intervention in reducing caregiver burden among family caregivers of individuals with mental disorders attending Nekemte Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Nekemte Town, and Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mettu Town, Southwest Ethiopia.
A pretest–posttest quasi-experimental study with an intervention and a comparison group was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 at Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Nekemte Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Oromia, Ethiopia. The sample size was determined using G*Power software, yielding a total of 556 family caregivers (intervention: n = 279; comparison: n = 277). Family caregivers were systematically sampled, with Mettu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital assigned to the intervention group and Nekemte Comprehensive Specialized Hospital to the comparison group, which received routine care. The intervention consisted of six monthly structured group psychoeducation sessions. Caregiver burden was measured at baseline and post-intervention using the Zarit Burden Interview. The data were entered into SPSS version 25 for analysis. Intervention effects were assessed using linear mixed-effects models and difference-in-differences analysis. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Jimma University.
There was a significant difference in mean caregiver burden scores between the intervention and comparison groups (p < 0.001). The intervention group demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in burden compared to the comparison group (DID =−4.32; 95% CI: −6.83, −1.81). After adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical factors, the linear mixed-effects model showed a significant reduction in caregiver burden among the intervention group (β =−5.65; 95% CI: −7.35, −3.95; p < 0.001).
The structured psychoeducation intervention was effective in reducing caregiver burden among families of individuals with mental disorders in Southwest Ethiopia. These findings support the integration of culturally appropriate psychoeducation programs into routine and community-based mental health services, particularly in resource-limited settings where family caregivers play a central role in patient care.
Introduction
Mental disorders represent a major and growing public health challenge worldwide, with a disproportionately heavy impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental illnesses cause hundreds of millions of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and millions of deaths worldwide, making them a significant contributor to premature mortality and disability [2,3]. These conditions impose far-reaching health, social, and economic consequences, making them a critical priority for health systems and development agendas.
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider hospital systems desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Adamu Kenea, Sudhakar N. Morankar. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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