Extent and determinants of catastrophic health expenditure for tuberculosis care in Chongqing municipality, China: a cross-sectional study

Understanding variation in catastrophic health expenditure from socio-ecological aspect: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Out-of-pocket (OOP) payment is one of many countries' main financing options for health care. High OOP payments push them into financial catastrophe and the resultant impoverishment. The infrastructure, society, culture, economic condition, political structure, and every element of the physical and social environment influence the intensity of financial catastrophes in health expenditure. Hence, the incidence of Catastrophic Health Expenditure (CHE) must be studied more intensively, specifically from regional aspects. This systematic review aims to make a socio-ecological synthesis of the predictors of CHE.

METHOD

We retrieved data from Scopus and Web of Science. This review followed PRISMA guidelines. The interest outcomes of the included literature were the incidence and the determinants of CHE. This review analyzed the predictors in light of the socio-ecological model.

RESULTS

Out of 1436 screened documents, fifty-one met the inclusion criteria. The selected studies were quantitative. The studies analyzed the socioeconomic determinants from the demand side, primarily focused on general health care, while few were disease-specific and focused on utilized care. The included studies analyzed the interpersonal, relational, and institutional predictors more intensively. In contrast, the community and policy-level predictors are scarce. Moreover, neither of the studies analyzed the supply-side predictors. Each CHE incidence has different reasons and different outcomes. We must go with those case-specific studies. Without the supply-side response, it is difficult to find any effective solution to combat CHE.

CONCLUSION

Financial protection against CHE is one of the targets of sustainable development goal 3 and a tool to achieve universal health coverage. Each country has to formulate its policy and enact laws that consider its requirements to preserve health rights. That is why the community and policy-level predictors must be studied more intensively. Proper screening of the cause of CHE, especially from the perspective of the health care provider's perspective is required to identify the individual, organizational, community, and policy-level barriers in healthcare delivery.

Households catastrophic health expenditure among older people with noncommunicable diseases: A cross-sectional study from Iran

Background and Aims

Noncommunicable diseases are one of the main difficulties faced by older adults in many countries. The study aimed to investigate the households' catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among older people with noncommunicable diseases.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted between October and December 2022 in Semnan, Iran, with the participation of 400 older individuals suffering from diabetes and hypertension. The Content Validity Ratio (which is calculated based on necessity criterion) and Content Validity Index (which calculated based on relevance, transparency, and simplicity criteria) values of 0.94 and 0.89, respectively, confirmed the content validity of the researcher-made questionnaire. The occurrence of CHE was estimated using the World Health Organization's rule of "allocating at least 40% of non-food household costs to healthcare." Due to the qualitative nature of the data, the χ 2 test was utilized to assess the statistical association between demographic and background variables and occurrence of CHE.

Results

Older people with diabetes and hypertension had an annual direct medical costs of $821 averagely, which includes 9.7% for diagnosis, 23.9% for doctor visits, and 66.4% for treatment. Direct medical costs account for around 0.26 of nonfood costs, with 12.5% of seniors facing high medical charges. Age, marital status, type of basic health insurance, diabetes, the time elapsed since initial diabetes diagnosis, the severity of diabetes complications, and the development of diabetes-related visual impairments, are associated with CHE (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

While the prevalence of CHE among elderly individuals with diabetes and hypertension is reasonably manageable, targeted promotional efforts are still necessary to protect those at high risk.

Stigma, depression, quality of life, and the need for psychosocial support among people with tuberculosis in Indonesia: A multi-site cross-sectional study

Stigma towards people with tuberculosis (TB-Stigma) is associated with other psychosocial consequences of TB including mental illness and reduced quality of life (QoL). We evaluated TB-Stigma, depression, QoL, and the need for psychosocial support among adults with TB in Indonesia, a high TB burden country. In this primary health facility-based survey in seven provinces of Indonesia, from February to November 2022, we interviewed adults receiving (a) intensive phase treatment for drug-susceptible (DS) TB at public facilities, (b) treatment at private facilities, (c) those lost to follow up (LTFU) to treatment, and (d) those receiving TB retreatment. We used our previously validated Indonesian TB-Stigma Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and EQ-5D-5L to measure TB-Stigma, depression, and QoL. Additional questions assessed what psychosocial support was received or needed by participants. We recruited and interviewed 612 people, of whom 60.6% (96%CI 59.6-64.5%) experienced moderate TB-Stigma. The average TB-Stigma scores were 19.0 (SD 6.9; min-max 0-50; Form A-Patient Perspective) and 23.4 (SD 8.4, min-max 0-50; Form B-Community Perspective). The scores were higher among people receiving treatment at private facilities (adjusted B [aB] 2.48; 0.94-4.03), those LTFU (aB 2.86; 0.85-4.87), males (aB 1.73; 0.59-2.87), those losing or changing job due to TB (aB 2.09; 0.31-3.88) and those living in a rural area (aB 1.41; 0.19-2.63). Depression was identified in 41.5% (95% CI 37.7-45.3%) of participants. Experiencing TB-Stigma was associated with moderately severe to severe depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.23; 1.15-1.32) and both stigma and depression were associated with lower QoL (aB -0.013; [-0.016]-[-0.010]). Informational (20.8%), emotional (25.9%) and instrumental (10.6%) support received from peers or peer-groups was limited, and unmet need for such support was high. There is a sizeable and intersecting burden of TB-Stigma and depression among adults with TB in Indonesia, which is associated with lower QoL. Participants reported a substantial unmet need for psychosocial support including peer-led mutual support groups. A community-based peer-led psychosocial support intervention is critical to defray the psychosocial impact of TB in Indonesia.

Costs incurred by people receiving tuberculosis treatment in low-income and middle-income countries: a meta-regression analysis

BACKGROUND

People accessing and completing treatment for tuberculosis can face large economic costs, even when treatment is provided free of charge. The WHO End TB Strategy targets the elimination of catastrophic costs among tuberculosis-affected households. While low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) represent 99% of global tuberculosis cases, only 29 of 135 LMICs had conducted national surveys of costs for patients with tuberculosis by December, 2022. We estimated costs for patients with tuberculosis in countries that have not conducted a national survey, to provide evidence on the economic burden of tuberculosis in these settings and inform estimates of global economic burden.

METHODS

We extracted data from 22 national surveys of costs faced by patients with tuberculosis that were completed across 2015-22 and met inclusion criteria. Using a Bayesian meta-regression approach, we used these data and covariate data for all 135 LMICs to estimate per-patient costs (2021 US$) by cost category (ie, direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect), country, drug resistance, and household income quintile. We also estimated the proportion of households experiencing catastrophic total costs (defined as >20% of annual household income) as a result of tuberculosis disease.

FINDINGS

Across LMICs, mean direct medical costs incurred by patients with tuberculosis were estimated as US$211 (95% uncertainty interval 154-302), direct non-medical costs were $512 (428-620), and indirect costs were $530 (423-663) per episode of tuberculosis. Overall, per-patient costs were $1253 (1127-1417). Estimated proportions of tuberculosis-affected households experiencing catastrophic total costs ranged from 75·2% (70·3-80·0) in the poorest quintile to 42·5% (34·3-51·5) in the richest quintile, compared with 54·9% (47·0-63·2) overall.

INTERPRETATION

Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment impose substantial costs on affected households. Eliminating these economic losses is crucial for removing barriers to accessing tuberculosis diagnosis and completing treatment among affected households and achieving the targets set in WHO's End TB Strategy.

FUNDING

World Health Organization.

Follow-up of patients diagnosed with and treated for tuberculosis in Brazil: financial burden on the household

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the implications of the proportion of annual family income spent in the pre- and post-diagnosis periods in tuberculosis patients followed for after at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in Brazil.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of tuberculosis patients followed for at least one year after completing tuberculosis treatment in five Brazilian capitals (one in each region of the country).

RESULTS

A total of 62 patients were included in the analysis. The overall average cost of tuberculosis was 283.84 Brazilian reals (R$) in the pre-diagnosis period and R$4,161.86 in the post-diagnosis period. After the costs of tuberculosis disease, 71% of the patients became unemployed, with an overall increase in unemployment; in addition, the number of patients living in nonpoverty decreased by 5%, the number of patients living in poverty increased by 6%, and the number of patients living in extreme poverty increased by 5%. The largest proportion of annual household income to cover the total costs of tuberculosis was for the extremely poor (i.e., 40.37% vs. 11.43% for the less poor).

CONCLUSIONS

Policies to mitigate catastrophic costs should include interventions planned by the health care system and social protection measures for tuberculosis patients with lower incomes in order to eliminate the global tuberculosis epidemic by 2035-a WHO goal in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Effects of multimorbidity patterns and socioeconomic status on catastrophic health expenditure of widowed older adults in China

Background

The high multimorbidity and lower socioeconomic status (SES) of older adults, can lead to catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) for older adults' households. However, whether widowed older adults will bear such a financial burden has yet to be explored. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of multimorbidity patterns and SES on CHE in Chinese widowed older adults.

Methods

Data was obtained from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 1,721 widowed participants aged 60 years and older were enrolled in the study. Latent class analysis was performed based on 14 self-reported chronic diseases to identify multimorbidity patterns. The logistic model and Tobit model were used to analyze the influence of multimorbidity patterns and SES on the incidence and intensity of CHE, respectively.

Results

About 36.72% of widowed older adults generated CHE. The incidence and intensity of CHE were significantly higher in the cardiovascular class and multisystem class than in the minimal disease class in multimorbidity patterns (cardiovascular class, multisystem class, and minimal disease class). Among SES-related indicators (education, occupation and household per capita income), respondents with a middle school and above education level were more likely to generate CHE compared to those who were illiterate. Respondents who were in the unemployed group were more likely to generate CHE compared to agricultural workers. In addition, respondents aged 70-79 years old, geographically located in the east, having other medical insurance, or having fewer family members are more likely to generate CHE and have higher CHE intensity.

Conclusion

Widowed older adults are at high risk for CHE, especially those in the cardiovascular and multisystem disease classes, and those with low SES. Several mainstream health insurances do not provide significant relief. In addition, attention should be paid to the high-risk characteristics associated with CHE. It is necessary to carry out the popularization of chronic disease knowledge, improve the medical insurance system and medical service level, and provide more policy preferences and social support to widowed older adults.

Catastrophic health expenditures in hospitalized patients with delta variant of COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Background: Financial protection of populations against healthcare costs is one of the fundamental responsibilities of governments. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) and it's affecting factors in hospitalized patients with delta variant of COVID-19. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 400 hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Kosar Hospital of Semnan in 2022, using a researcher-made checklist. Based on qualitative nature of the variables, chi-square test was used to investigate the statistical associations between the demographic/background characteristics and the incidence of CHE. Results: On average, COVID-19 imposed 1833.43 USD direct medical costs per one hospitalized patient. The ratio of direct-medical costs to household's non-food expenses was 2.35, and 61% (CI:±4.78%) of the patients were subject to CHE. Besides, residence place, basic insurance type, benefitting from supplementary insurance, suffering from underlying diseases, hospitalization in ICU, falling into a coma, facing pulmonary failure, and performing hemoperfusion had significant associations with CHE (P<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of CHE in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was undesirable, which may be due to geographical, economical, and occupational inequalities apart from the factors related to the severity of the disease. So, health policymakers should pay attention to the provision of proper financial risk protection policies to make the health insurance system more efficient and appropriate.

Association between multimorbidity patterns and catastrophic health expenditure among Chinese older adults living alone

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity is prevalent among older adults and may result in catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) on older adults' households. However, whether older adults living alone suffer such a financial burden is unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between multimorbidity patterns and CHE in Chinese older adults living alone.

METHODS

We included 884 participants aged 60 years and over and living alone from the 2018 wave of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Latent class analysis was performed to identify multimorbidity patterns based on 14 self-reported chronic diseases. The logit model and Tobit model were adopted to analyze the association of multimorbidity patterns with the incidence and intensity of CHE, respectively.

RESULTS

Approximately 20.2% of the older adults living alone experienced CHE. Among the four multimorbidity groups (minimal disease, cardiovascular, lung and asthma, and multisystem), the multisystem group and cardiovascular group had significantly higher incidence and intensity of CHE than the minimal disease group.

CONCLUSIONS

Older adults living alone had high risks of CHE, especially those belonging to the multisystem pattern and cardiovascular pattern. Integrated care should be adopted in the treatment of multimorbidity to reduce health costs. More elder services and social assistance should be provided to solitary older adults with certain patterns of multimorbidity.

Tuberculosis in older adults: case studies from four countries with rapidly ageing populations in the western pacific region

BACKGROUND

The Western Pacific Region has one of the fastest-growing populations of older adults (≥ 65 years) globally, among whom tuberculosis (TB) poses a particular concern. This study reports country case studies from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore reflecting on their experiences in managing TB among older adults.

FINDINGS

Across all four countries, TB case notification and incidence rates were highest among older adults, but clinical and public health guidance focused on this population was limited. Individual country reports illustrated a range of practices and challenges. Passive case finding remains the norm, with limited active case finding (ACF) programs implemented in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Different approaches have been trialled to assist older adults in securing an early diagnosis, as well as adhering to their TB treatment. All countries emphasised the need for person-centred approaches that include the creative application of new technology and tailored incentive programs, as well as reconceptualisation of how we provide treatment support. The use of traditional medicines was found to be culturally entrenched among older adults, with a need for careful consideration of their complementary use. TB infection testing and the provision of TB preventive treatment (TPT) were underutilised with highly variable practice.

CONCLUSION

Older adults require specific consideration in TB response policies, given the burgeoning aging population and their high TB risk. Policymakers, TB programs and funders must invest in and develop locally contextualised practice guidelines to inform evidence-based TB prevention and care practices for older adults.

The Impact of Multimorbidities on Catastrophic Health Expenditures among Patients Suffering from Hypertension in China: An Analysis of Nationwide Representative Data

Background: Patients with hypertension are sensitive to multimorbidities (i.e., the existence of ≥2 chronic diseases), and the related treatment can create enormous economic burdens. We sought to examine the distribution of multimorbidities, the prevalence and factors of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE), the impact of multimorbidities on CHE, and the variation in this relationship across age groups, work status, and combinations of socioeconomic status and health insurance types. Methods: Socioeconomic-related inequality associated with CHE was estimated by concentration curve and concentration index. We examined the determinants of CHE and the impact of age groups, work status, and combinations of socioeconomic groups and health insurance schemes against the relationship with multimorbidities and CHE using logistic regression. Results: 5693 (83.3%) participants had multimorbidities. In total, 49.8% of families had experienced CHE, and the concentration index was −0.026 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.032 to −0.020). Multimorbidities were related to the increased odds of CHE (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.18–1.25). The relationship between multimorbidities and CHE persisted across age groups, work status, and combinations of socioeconomic status and health insurance schemes. Conclusions: More than 80% of patients with hypertension had multimorbidities. The protection of health insurance schemes against financial risks is very limited.

Assessment of Household Catastrophic Total Cost of Tuberculosis and Its Determinants in Cairo: Prospective Cohort Study

Background

One goal of the End tuberculosis (TB) Strategy is to see no TB-affected households experiencing catastrophic costs. Therefore, it is crucial for TB-elimination programs to identify catastrophic costs and their main drivers in order to establish appropriate health and social measures. This study aimed to measure the percent of catastrophic costs experienced by Egyptian TB patients and to identify its determinants.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study with 151 Egyptian TB patients recruited from two chest dispensaries from the Cairo governate from May 2019 to May 2020. We used a validated World Health Organization TB patient-cost tool to collect data on patients’ demographic information, household income, and direct and indirect expense of seeking TB treatment. We considered catastrophic TB costs to be total costs exceeding 20% of the household’s annual income.

Results

Of the patients, 33% experienced catastrophic costs. The highest proportion of the total came in the pretreatment stage. Being the main breadwinner, experiencing job loss, selling property, and the occurrence of early coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown were independent determinants of the incidence of catastrophic costs. Borrowing money and selling property were the most-often reported coping strategies adopted.

Conclusion

Despite the availability of free TB care under the Egyptian National TB Program, nearly a third of the TB patients incurred catastrophic costs. Job loss and being the main breadwinner were among the significant predictors of catastrophic costs. Social protection mechanisms, including cash assistance and insurance coverage, are necessary to achieve the goal of the End TB Strategy.

Analysis of the economic burden of diagnosis and treatment on patients with tuberculosis in Bao'an district of Shenzhen City, China

BACKGROUND

Illness-related costs experienced by tuberculosis patients produce a severe economic impact on households, especially poor families. Few studies have investigated the full costs, including direct and indirect costs, at the patient and household levels in south-east China.

METHODS

A case follow-up study was conducted in the Bao'an district of Shenzhen City, China. Eligible new and previously treated individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) during January 1st 2013 to June 30th 2013 were enrolled. Medical and non-medical costs as well as income loss were calculated in diagnosis and treatment periods, respectively. Factors associated with costs due to TB diagnosis, treatment and TB care (diagnosis + treatment) were explored respectively with a linear regression model.

RESULTS

Of the total 514 TB patients enrolled, 95% were from the migrant population, and 65% were males, with a mean age of 32.25 (±10.11). The median costs due to TB diagnosis and TB treatment were 79 United States dollar (USD), 748USD (6.2897 China Yuan (CNY) = 1USD, 2013) per patient, respectively. The median costs due to TB care (diagnosis and treatment) per patient was 1218USD, corresponding to 26% of patients' annual income pre-illness. Those who visited more times to health facilities, hospitalized, received higher education, or occupied in national civil servant/services/retired staff might expense more before diagnosis. Costs due to TB treatment was significantly higher among migrant patients, sputum smear positive patients, and widowed/divorced population. Factors associated with less total costs were native patients, fewer times of visiting to health-care facilities and those with no hospitalization history due to TB.

CONCLUSIONS

Although a free TB control policy is in force, patients with TB are still facing a heavy economic burden. More available interventions to reduce the financial burden on tuberculosis patients are urgently needed.

Catastrophic health expenditures of households living with pediatric leukemia in China

Background

Leukemia can create a significant economic burden on the patients and their families. The objective of this study is to assess the medical expenditure and compensation of pediatric leukemia, and to explore the incidence and determinants of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) among households with pediatric leukemia patients in China.

Methods

A cross‐sectional interview was conducted among households living with pediatric leukemia using a questionnaire in two tertiary hospitals. CHE was defined as out‐of‐pocket (OOP) payments that were greater than or equal to 40% of a household's capacity to pay (CTP). Chi‐square tests and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the determinants of CHE.

Results

Among 242 households living with pediatric leukemia, the mean OOP payment for pediatric leukemia healthcare was $9860, which accounted for approximately 35.7% of the mean household's CTP. The overall incidence of CHE was 43.4% and showed a downward trend with the lowest income group at 69.0% to the highest income group at 16.1%. The logistic regression model found that medical insurance, frequency of hospital admissions, charity assistance, and income level were significant predictors of CHE.

Conclusion

The results revealed that pediatric leukemia had a significant catastrophic effect on families, especially those with lower economic status. The occurrence of CHE in households living with pediatric leukemia could be reduced by addressing income disparity. In addition, extending coverage and improving compensation from medical insurance could also alleviate CHE. Some other measures that can be implemented are to address the barriers of charity assistance for vulnerable groups.

Factors associated with catastrophic total costs due to tuberculosis under a designated hospital service model: a cross-sectional study in China

Background

Certain districts and counties in China designated local general hospital as the designated hospital for tuberculosis (TB) management after the promulgation of the Law of Practicing Physicians in 2009. To our knowledge, there is limited research on catastrophic payments of TB patients under this service model, often with inconsistent conclusions. In addition, there has been no published studies from China using the updated 2018 World Health Organization (WHO) definition of catastrophic total costs due to TB. This study used the latest criterion recommended by the WHO to analyze the incidence of catastrophic total costs for households affected by TB under the designated hospital model and explore its influencing factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was carried out in all ten designated hospitals in Ningbo, China. Eligible pulmonary TB cases confirmed by sputum culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were recruited and surveyed from September 2018 to October 2018. We evaluated catastrophic total costs using total costs for TB treatment exceeding 20% of the household’s annual pre-TB income. A sensitivity analysis was performed while varying the thresholds. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were applied to select variables, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to identify the determinants of catastrophic total costs.

Results

A total of 672 patients were included, with a median age of 41 years old. The rate of catastrophic total costs of surveyed households was 37.1%, and that of households affected by MDR was 69.6%. Medical cost accounted for more than 60% of the total cost. 57.7% cases were hospitalized. The hospitalization rates of patients with no comorbidities, no severe adverse drug reactions, and rifampin-sensitive TB were 53.9, 54.9, and 55.3%, respectively. Patients in the poorest households had the highest hospitalization rates (Q1:54.8%, Q2:61.4%, Q3:52.2%, Q4:49.5%, Q5:69.7%, P = 0.011) and the highest incidence of severe adverse drug reactions (Q1:29.6%, Q2:19.6%, Q3:28.0%, Q4:33.7%, Q5:35.3%, P = 0.034). Factors such as elderly, minimum living security, unemployed before or after illness, poor economic status, seeking medical care outside the city, hospitalization, absence of local basic medical insurance coverage and MDR were positively associated with catastrophic costs.

Conclusion

Substantial proportions of patients and households affected by pulmonary TB faced catastrophic economic risks in Ningbo, China. The existing policies that focus on expanding the coverage of basic medical insurance and economic protection measures (such as cash transfers to compensate low-income households for direct non-medical costs and income loss) might be insufficient. Tailored program that mitigate inappropriate healthcare and address equity of care delivery are worthy of attention.

Financial burden of HIV and TB among patients in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

HIV and tuberculosis (TB) are major global health threats and can result in household financial hardships. Here, we aim to estimate the household economic burden and the incidence of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) incurred by HIV and TB care across income quintiles in Ethiopia.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

27 health facilities in Afar and Oromia regions for TB, and nationwide household survey for HIV.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1006 and 787 individuals seeking HIV and TB care were enrolled, respectively.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The economic burden (ie, direct and indirect cost) of HIV and TB care was estimated. In addition, the CHE incidence and intensity were determined using direct costs exceeding 10% of the household income threshold.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of HIV and TB patient was 40 (10), and 30 (14) years, respectively. The mean (SD) patient cost of HIV was $78 ($170) per year and $115 ($118) per TB episode. Out of the total cost, the direct cost of HIV and TB constituted 69% and 46%, respectively. The mean (SD) indirect cost was $24 ($66) per year for HIV and $63 ($83) per TB episode. The incidence of CHE for HIV was 20%; ranges from 43% in the poorest to 4% in the richest income quintile (p<0.001). Similarly, for TB, the CHE incidence was 40% and ranged between 58% and 20% among the poorest and richest income quintiles, respectively (p<0.001). This figure was higher for drug-resistant TB (62%).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV and TB are causes of substantial economic burden and CHE, inequitably, affecting those in the poorest income quintile. Broadening the health policies to encompass interventions that reduce the high cost of HIV and TB care, particularly for the poor, is urgently needed.

Determinants of Medication Adherence for Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients During Continuation Phase in Dalian, Northeast China

PURPOSE

Medication adherence is crucial for decreasing the burden of tuberculosis, but few relevant studies have been conducted in northeast China. This study aimed to explore the level of medication adherence among pulmonary tuberculosis outpatients and the predictive factors based on the bio-psycho-social medical model.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional multi-center survey was conducted in four tuberculosis medical institutions in Dalian, northeast China. Medication adherence was measured using the eight-item Chinese version of the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, which divides adherence into three levels. The independent variables consisted of sociodemographic characteristics, treatment factors, knowledge about TB, mental health, and behavioral characteristics. Descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and multivariate ordinal logistic regression were applied to analyze the data using Stata/MP 14.0.

RESULTS

Among the 564 eligible participants, 236 (41.84%) and 183 (32.45%) exhibited high and medium medication adherence, respectively, but 145 (25.71%) exhibited low medication adherence. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression showed that patients who were older (OR: 1.02, p=0.013) were employed (OR: 1.61, p=0.011), had better tuberculosis knowledge (OR: 1.34, p<0.001), and did not consume alcohol (OR: 1.84, p=0.032) exhibited higher medication adherence. However, patients who did not follow their doctors' advice to take adjuvant drugs (OR: 0.44, p=0.001), had a history of TB treatment (OR: 1.76, p=0.009), experienced adverse drug reactions (OR: 0.65, p=0.017), experienced stigma (OR: 0.67, p=0.032), and needed supervised treatment (OR: 0.66, p=0.012) exhibited lower medication adherence.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis patients' medication adherence was not very high and it was influenced by diverse and complex factors involving sociodemographic characteristics, treatment factors, knowledge about TB, mental health, and behavioral characteristics.

Factors Influencing Hospitalization Rates and Inpatient Cost of Patients with Tuberculosis in Jiangsu Province, China: An Uncontrolled before and after Study

Objective: The China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) introduced an innovative financing model of tuberculosis (TB) care and control with the aim of standardizing TB treatment and reducing the financial burden associated with patients with TB. This is a study of the pilot implementation of new financing mechanism in Zhenjiang, between 2014–2015. We compared TB hospitalization rates and inpatient service costs before and after implementation to examine the factors associated with hospital admissions. Our goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving TB service provision and cost control. Methods: We reviewed new policy documents on TB financing. We conducted a patient survey to investigate the utilization of inpatient services, and patients’ out-of-pocket payment for inpatient care. We extracted total medical expenditures of inpatient services from inpatient records of TB designated hospitals. Findings: 63.6% (n = 159) of the surveyed patients with TB were admitted for treatment in 2015, which was higher than that in 2013 (54.8%, n = 144). The number of hospital admission was slightly lower in 2015 (1.16 per patient) than in 2013 (1.26 per patient), while the length of hospital stay was longer in 2015 (24 days) than in 2013 (16 days). In 2015, patients from families with low incomes were more likely to be admitted than those from higher income groups (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.12–8.33). The average inpatient service cost in 2015 (3345 USD) was 1.7 times the cost in 2013 (1952 USD). It was found that 96.2% of patients with TB who were from low-income households spent more than 20% of their household income on inpatient care in 2013, versus 100% in 2015. Conclusion: The TB hospital admission rate and total inpatient service cost increased over the study period. The majority of patients with TB, particularly poor patient who used inpatient care, continue to suffer from heavy financial burden.