Health Education and Psychosocial Support Needs of Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia in Lagos State

Dementia is an increasingly prevalent condition in Nigeria's ageing population, yet caregivers of persons living with dementia often receive inadequate health education and psychosocial support, leading to caregiver burden and diminished care quality. This study examined the health education and psychosocial support needs of caregivers of persons living with dementia in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A descriptive needs assessment design was employed, with 160 caregivers recruited from neurology clinics at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos Island General Hospital. The Zarit Burden Interview, a validated caregiver needs questionnaire, and qualitative interview guides were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were applied. Results showed that 74 percent of caregivers reported high burden scores, with the majority reporting inadequate knowledge of dementia progression, behavioural management techniques, and available community support services. Psychosocial needs including peer support, respite services, and counselling were frequently cited but largely unmet. Caregivers who had attended structured dementia education sessions demonstrated significantly lower burden scores. The study recommends establishing caregiver-specific health education and support programmes within neurology outpatient services in Lagos State, with involvement of social workers and mental health educators. Keywords: dementia caregivers, health education needs, psychosocial support, Lagos State, caregiver burden