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Guertin JR, Gilbert-Ouimet M, Dugas M, Carnovale V, Jalbert L, Svyntozelska O, Demers J, Matteau L, Bergeron F, LeBlanc A. Methods used to account for caregivers' sex and gender within studies examining the financial burden of caregivers of children and adolescents : Results from a scoping review. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2024; 16:35-53. [PMID: 38298908 PMCID: PMC10829241 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s443077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Interest in the financial burden of informal caregivers has been growing. Unfortunately, it remains unclear which method(s) should be used when quantifying this burden. Purpose We conducted a scoping review aimed at identifying which methods have been used to conduct such work and quantified their performance. We were also interested in examining how sex and gender considerations were considered within selected studies. Data Sources Using a standardized approach, we identified studies published between 2012 and 2022 that aimed to document the financial burden of caregivers to child and adolescent patients. Our search strategy was applied to the MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, and Academic Search Premier databases. Study Selection Manuscript selection was performed by pairs of reviewers. Data Extraction Data extraction was performed by one reviewer with a second reviewer performing quality control. Results were reported using a narrative approach. Data Synthesis We identified 9801 unique citations, of which 200 were included in our review. Selected studies covered various disease area (eg, infection/parasitic diseases [n = 31, 16%]) and included quantitative (n = 180, 90%), qualitative (n = 4, 2%) and mixed study designs (n = 16, 8%). Most studies (n = 182, 91%) used questionnaires/surveys, either alone or in combination with other methods, to assess caregivers' financial burden. Less than half (n = 93, 47%) of studies reported on caregivers' sex and none reported on their gender. Conclusion We conducted an unrestricted review of published studies examining caregiver's financial burden which allowed us to identify general methodological trends observed in this literature. We believe this work may help improve future studies focusing on this important issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Robert Guertin
- Centre de recherche du Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet
- Centre de recherche du Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec À Rimouski, Levis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michèle Dugas
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Valérie Carnovale
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laura Jalbert
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olha Svyntozelska
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Juliette Demers
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Léonie Matteau
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec À Rimouski, Levis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Bergeron
- Bibliothèque-Direction des services-conseils, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annie LeBlanc
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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Patouillard E, Han S, Lauer J, Barschkett M, Arcand JL. The Macroeconomic Impact of Increasing Investments in Malaria Control in 26 High Malaria Burden Countries: An Application of the Updated EPIC Model. Int J Health Policy Manag 2023; 12:7132. [PMID: 38618809 PMCID: PMC10590221 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2023.7132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria remains a major public health problem. While globally malaria mortality affects predominantly young children, clinical malaria affects all age groups throughout life. Malaria not only threatens health but also child education and adult productivity while burdening government budgets and economic development. Increased investments in malaria control can contribute to reduce this burden but have an opportunity cost for the economy. Quantifying the net economic value of investing in malaria can encourage political and financial commitment. METHODS We adapted an existing macroeconomic model to simulate the effects of reducing malaria on the gross domestic product (GDP) of 26 high burden countries while accounting for the opportunity costs of increased investments in malaria. We compared two scenarios differing in their level of malaria investment and associated burden reduction: sustaining malaria control at 2015 intervention coverage levels, time at which coverage levels reached their historic peak and scaling-up coverage to reach the 2030 global burden reduction targets. We incorporated the effects that reduced malaria in children and young adolescents may have on the productivity of working adults and on the future size of the labour force augmented by educational returns, skills, and experience. We calibrated the model using estimates from linked epidemiologic and costing models on these same scenarios and from published country-specific macroeconomic data. RESULTS Scaling-up malaria control could produce a dividend of US$ 152 billion in the modelled countries, equivalent to 0.17% of total GDP projected over the study period across the 26 countries. Assuming a larger share of malaria investments is paid out from domestic savings, the dividend would be smaller but still significant, ranging between 0.10% and 0.14% of total projected GDP. Annual GDP gains were estimated to increase over time. Lower income and higher burden countries would experience higher gains. CONCLUSION Intensified malaria control can produce a multiplied return despite the opportunity cost of greater investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Patouillard
- Department of Health Financing and Economics, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Seoni Han
- Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, Sejong, Korea
| | - Jeremy Lauer
- Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mara Barschkett
- Federal Institute for Population Research and Department of Public Economics, German Institute of Economic Research (DIW Berlin), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Louis Arcand
- Global Development Network, New Delhi, India
- Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Rabat, Morocco
- Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI), Clermont Ferrand, France
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Chinkhumba J, Mpinganjira S, Kumitawa A, Malopa M, Longwe D, Phiri VS, Nyirenda TS, Mwapasa V. Household costs and care seeking patterns associated with COVID-19 in Blantyre, Malawi. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002003. [PMID: 37363908 PMCID: PMC10292703 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Economic consequences of COVID-19 illness and healthcare use for households in low income countries are not well known. We estimated costs associated with COVID-19 care-seeking and treatment from a household perspective and assessed determinants of treatment costs. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted between December 2020 and November 2021 in urban and peri-urban areas of Blantyre district. Adults (age ≥18 years) with confirmed COVID-19 were asked to report the symptoms they experienced or prompted them to seek COVID-19 tests as well as healthcare seeking behaviors preceding and following COVID-19 diagnosis. For individuals who sought healthcare, information on out-of-pocket expenditures incurred while seeking and receiving care including on transport, food etc. by both the patients and their guardians was collected. Finally, data on time use seeking, receiving care and during convalesces was recorded. Multivariate Generalized Linear Models were used to evaluate association between household COVID-19 costs and their determinants. Of 171 individuals who took part in the study, the average age was 40.7 years, standard deviation (SD) 15.0, and 50.8% were females. Most participants (85.3%) were symptomatic. Of these, 67.8% sought care at health facilities and the majority (91.7%) were treated as outpatients. The average total household cost associated with COVID-19 seeking, receiving care and convalescence was $62.81 (SD $126.02). Average costs for outpatient and inpatient cases were $52.96 (SD $54.35) and $172.39 (SD $407.08), respectively. Average out-of-pocket household expenditures were $42.62 (SD $123.10), accounting for 62% of total household costs. Being a male COVID-19 patient and engagement in formal employment were significantly associated with high COVID-19 household costs. Households face high economic burden related to COVID-19 sickness and healthcare use. Social policies that support households cope with both the direct and indirect COVID-19 cost are needed to ensure access to healthcare and protect households from COVID-19 related shocks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jobiba Chinkhumba
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
- Health Economics and Policy Unit, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Samuel Mpinganjira
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Andrew Kumitawa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Mercy Malopa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Dalitso Longwe
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Vincent Samuel Phiri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Tonney S. Nyirenda
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Victor Mwapasa
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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Tangena JAA, Mategula D, Sedda L, Atkinson PM. Unravelling the impact of insecticide-treated bed nets on childhood malaria in Malawi. Malar J 2023; 22:16. [PMID: 36635658 PMCID: PMC9837906 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-023-04448-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve malaria elimination it is essential to understand the impact of insecticide-treated net (ITNs) programmes. Here, the impact of ITN access and use on malaria prevalence in children in Malawi was investigated using Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) data. METHODS MIS data from 2012, 2014 and 2017 were used to investigate the relationship between malaria prevalence in children (6-59 months) and ITN use. Generalized linear modelling (GLM), geostatistical mixed regression modelling and non-stationary GLM were undertaken to evaluate trends, spatial patterns and local dynamics, respectively. RESULTS Malaria prevalence in Malawi was 27.1% (95% CI 23.1-31.2%) in 2012 and similar in both 2014 (32.1%, 95% CI 25.5-38.7) and 2017 (23.9%, 95% CI 20.3-27.4%). ITN coverage and use increased during the same time period, with household ITN access growing from 19.0% (95% CI 15.6-22.3%) of households with at least 1 ITN for every 2 people sleeping in the house the night before to 41.7% (95% CI 39.1-44.4%) and ITN use from 41.1% (95% CI 37.3-44.9%) of the population sleeping under an ITN the previous night to 57.4% (95% CI 55.0-59.9%). Both the geostatistical and non-stationary GLM regression models showed child malaria prevalence had a negative association with ITN population access and a positive association with ITN use although affected by large uncertainties. The non-stationary GLM highlighted the spatital heterogeneity in the relationship between childhood malaria and ITN dynamics across the country. CONCLUSION Malaria prevalence in children under five had a negative association with ITN population access and a positive association with ITN use, with spatial heterogeneity in these relationships across Malawi. This study presents an important modelling approach that allows malaria control programmes to spatially disentangle the impact of interventions on malaria cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie-Anne A. Tangena
- grid.48004.380000 0004 1936 9764Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Donnie Mategula
- grid.48004.380000 0004 1936 9764Vector Biology Department, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK ,grid.419393.50000 0004 8340 2442Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Luigi Sedda
- grid.9835.70000 0000 8190 6402Lancaster Ecology and Epidemiology Group, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Peter M. Atkinson
- grid.9835.70000 0000 8190 6402Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YR UK ,grid.5491.90000 0004 1936 9297Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 11A Datun Road, Beijing, 100101 China
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Chinkhumba J, Kadzinje V, Jenda G, Kayange M, Mathanga DP. Impact of school-based malaria intervention on primary school teachers' time in Malawi: evidence from a time and motion study. Malar J 2022; 21:301. [PMID: 36289501 PMCID: PMC9607742 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04324-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND School-based health (SBH) programmes that are contingent on primary school teachers are options to increase access to malaria treatment among learners. However, perceptions that provision of healthcare by teachers may be detrimental to teaching activities can undermine efforts to scale up school-based malaria control. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of school-based malaria diagnosis and treatment using the Learner Treatment Kit (LTK) on teachers' time. METHODS A time and motion study was conducted in 10 primary schools in rural Malawi. Teachers who had been trained to diagnose and treat uncomplicated malaria were continuously observed in real time during school sessions and the time they spent on all activities were recorded by independent observers before and after LTK implementation. A structured form, programmed digitally, was used for data collection. Paired sample t-tests were used to assess pre-post differences in average hours teachers spent on the following key activities: direct teaching; indirect teaching; administration; LTK and non-teaching tasks. Multivariable repeated measures mixed regression models were used to ascertain impact of LTK on average durations teachers spent on the key activities. RESULTS Seventy-four teachers, trained to use LTK, were observed. Their mean age and years of teaching experience were 34.7 and 8.7, respectively. Overall, 739.8 h of teacher observations took place. The average time teachers spent in school before relative to after LTK was 5.8 vs. 4.8 h, p = 0.01. The cumulative percentage of time teachers spent on core teaching activities (teaching and administration) was approximately 76% and did not change substantially before and after LTK. Some 24.3% of teachers' time is spent on non-teaching activities. On average, teachers spent 2.9% of their time providing LTK services daily. Per day, each teacher spent less time on administrative (0.74 vs. 1.07 h, p = 0.02) and non-teaching activities (0.96 vs. 1.41 h, p = 0.01) during LTK compared with the period before LTK. CONCLUSION School-based health (SBH) programmes are not detrimental to teaching activities. Teachers manage their time to ensure additional time required for SBH services is not at the expense of teaching duties. Programming and policy implications of tasking teachers with SBH does not have substantial opportunity costs. Teachers should continue delivering SBH programmes to promote learners' health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jobiba Chinkhumba
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Department of Health Systems and Policy, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi ,Health Economics and Policy Unit, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Victor Kadzinje
- Save the Children International, Malawi Office, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Gomezgani Jenda
- Save the Children International, Malawi Office, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael Kayange
- grid.415722.70000 0004 0598 3405Ministry of Health, National Malaria Control Programme, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Don P. Mathanga
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Department of Community Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
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Abstract
Background Quantifying disease costs is critical for policymakers to set priorities, allocate resources, select control and prevention strategies, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Although malaria carries a very large disease burden, the availability of comprehensive and comparable estimates of malaria costs across endemic countries is scarce. Methods A literature review to summarize methodologies utilized to estimate malaria treatment costs was conducted to identify gaps in knowledge. Results Only 45 publications met the inclusion criteria. They utilize different methods, include distinct cost components, have varied geographical coverage (a country vs a city), include different periods in the analysis, and focus on specific parasite types or population groups (e.g., pregnant women). Conclusions Cost estimates currently available are not comparable, hindering broad statements on the costs of malaria, and constraining advocacy efforts towards investment in malaria control and elimination, particularly with the finance and development sectors of the government. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04303-6.
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Okumu F, Gyapong M, Casamitjana N, Castro MC, Itoe MA, Okonofua F, Tanner M. What Africa can do to accelerate and sustain progress against malaria. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000262. [PMID: 36962314 PMCID: PMC10021840 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
After a longstanding global presence, malaria is now largely non-existent or suppressed in most parts of the world. Today, cases and deaths are primarily concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. According to many experts, this persistence on the African continent reflects factors such as resistance to insecticides and drugs as well as insufficient access to essential commodities such as insecticide-treated nets and effective drugs. Crucially, however, this narrative ignores many central weaknesses in the fight against malaria and instead reinforces a narrow, commodity-driven vision of disease control. This paper therefore describes the core challenges hindering malaria programs in Africa and highlights key opportunities to rethink current strategies for sustainable control and elimination. The epidemiology of malaria in Africa presents far greater challenges than elsewhere and requires context-specific initiatives tailored to national and sub-national targets. To sustain progress, African countries must systematically address key weaknesses in its health systems, improve the quality and use of data for surveillance-responses, improve both technical and leadership competencies for malaria control, and gradually reduce overreliance on commodities while expanding multisectoral initiatives such as improved housing and environmental sanitation. They must also leverage increased funding from both domestic and international sources, and support pivotal research and development efforts locally. Effective vaccines and drugs, or other potentially transformative technologies such as genedrive modified mosquitoes, could further accelerate malaria control by complementing current tools. However, our underlying strategies remain insufficient and must be expanded to include more holistic and context-specific approaches critical to achieve and sustain effective malaria control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margaret Gyapong
- Centre for Health Policy and Implementation Research, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Núria Casamitjana
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clinic–University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marcia C. Castro
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Maurice A. Itoe
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Friday Okonofua
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Marcel Tanner
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Cassy A, Chicumbe S, Saifodine A, Zulliger R. Factors associated with malaria care seeking among children under 5 years of age in Mozambique: a secondary analysis of the 2018 Malaria Indicator Survey. Malar J 2022; 21:100. [PMID: 35331247 PMCID: PMC8944006 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mozambique is ranked fourth in a list of the 29 countries that accounted for 95% of all malaria cases globally in 2019. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with care seeking for fever, to determine the association between knowledge about malaria and care seeking and to describe the main reasons for not seeking care among children under five years of age in Mozambique. Methods This is a quantitative, observational study based on a secondary data analysis of the 2018 Malaria Indicator Survey. This weighted analysis was based on data reported by surveyed mothers or caregivers of children aged 0–59 months who had fever in the two weeks prior to the survey. Results Care was reportedly sought for 69.1% [95% CI 63.5–74.2] of children aged 0–59 months old with fever. Care-seeking was significantly higher among younger children, < 6 months old (AOR = 2.47 [95% CI 1.14–5.31]), 6–11 months old (AOR = 1.75 [95% CI 1.01–3.04]) and 12–23 months old (AOR = 1.85 [95% CI 1.19–2.89]), as compared with older children (48–59 months old). In adjusted analysis, mothers from the middle (AOR = 1.66 [95% CI 0.18–3.37]) and richest (AOR = 3.46 [95% CI 1.26–9.49]) wealth quintiles were more likely to report having sought care for their febrile children than mothers from the poorest wealth quintile. Additionally, mothers with secondary or higher education level were more likely to seek care (AOR = 2.16 [95% CI 1.19–3.93]) than mothers with no education. There was no association between maternal malaria knowledge or reported exposure to malaria messages and care-seeking behaviours. The main reasons reported for not seeking care included distance to health facility (46.3% of respondents), the perception that the fever was not severe (22.4%) and the perception that treatment was not available at the health facility (15%). Conclusion Health facility access and socioeconomic barriers continue to be important constraints to malaria service utilization in Mozambique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Cassy
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique. .,Observatório Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
| | - Sérgio Chicumbe
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.,Observatório Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Rose Zulliger
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, USAID, Washington, DC, USA
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Dasgupta RR, Mao W, Ogbuoji O. Addressing child health inequity through case management of under-five malaria in Nigeria: an extended cost-effectiveness analysis. Malar J 2022; 21:81. [PMID: 35264153 PMCID: PMC8905868 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04113-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Under-five malaria in Nigeria is a leading cause of global child mortality, accounting for 95,000 annual child deaths. High out-of-pocket medical expenditure contributes to under-five malaria mortality by discouraging care-seeking and use of effective anti-malarials in the poorest households. The significant inequity in child health outcomes in Nigeria stresses the need to evaluate the outcomes of potential interventions across socioeconomic lines. Methods Using a decision tree model, an extended cost-effectiveness analysis was done to determine the effects of subsidies covering the direct and indirect costs of case management of under-five malaria in Nigeria. This analysis estimates the number of child deaths averted, out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure averted, cases of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) averted, and cost of implementation. An optimization analysis was also done to determine how to optimally allocate money across wealth groups using different combinations of interventions. Results Fully subsidizing direct medical, non-medical, and indirect costs could annually avert over 19,000 under-five deaths, 8600 cases of CHE, and US$187 million in OOP spending. Per US$1 million invested, this corresponds to an annual reduction of 76 under-five deaths, 34 cases of CHE, and over US$730,000 in OOP expenditure. Due to low initial treatment coverage in poorer socioeconomic groups, health and financial-risk protection benefits would be pro-poor, with the poorest 40% of Nigerians accounting for 72% of all deaths averted, 55% of all OOP expenditure averted, and 74% of all cases of CHE averted. Subsidies targeted to the poor would see greater benefits per dollar spent than broad, non-targeted subsidies. In an optimization scenario, the strategy of fully subsidizing direct medical costs would be dominated by a partial subsidy of direct medical costs as well as a full subsidy of direct medical, nonmedical, and indirect costs. Conclusion Subsidizing case management of under-five malaria for the poorest and most vulnerable would reduce illness-related impoverishment and child mortality in Nigeria while preserving limited financial resources. This study is an example of how focusing a targeted policy-intervention on a single, high-burden disease can yield large health and financial-risk protection benefits in a low and middle-income country context and address equity consideration in evidence-informed policymaking. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-022-04113-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishav Raj Dasgupta
- Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. .,Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Wenhui Mao
- Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Osondu Ogbuoji
- Center for Policy Impact in Global Health at Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA. .,Duke Margolis Center for Health Policy, Durham, NC, USA.
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Mtalimanja M, Abasse KS, Mtalimanja JL, Yuan XZ, Wenwen D, Xu W. Economic evaluation of severe malaria in children under 14 years in Zambia. Cost Eff Resour Alloc 2022; 20:4. [PMID: 35123482 PMCID: PMC8817518 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-022-00340-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Malaria exerts a significant economic burden on health care providers and households and our study attempts to make claims on the cost effectiveness of artesunate against quinine in patients under 14 years of age in Zambia. Also, to find the average total costs involved in the treatment of severe malaria in children and their impact on household expenditure. Methods Cost-effectiveness analysis of severe malaria treatment was conducted from a healthcare provider perspective using a Markov model. Standard costing was performed for the identification, measurement and assessment phases with data from quantification reports for anti-malaria commodities as these documents provides drug procurement costs from suppliers and freight costs. Average and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were estimated and uncertainties were assessed through probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Results In Zambia severe malaria in children has been shown to account for over 45% of the total monthly curative healthcare costs incurred by households compared to the mean per capita monthly income. The cost of treating severe malaria depleted 7.67% of the monthly average household income. According, to the cost effectiveness analysis the of artesunate with quinine the ICER was $105 per death averted. Conclusion The use of artesunate over quinine in the treatment of severe malaria in children under 14 years is a highly cost-effective strategy for the healthcare provider in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mtalimanja
- School of International Pharmaceutical Business, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kassim Said Abasse
- Faculté des Sciences de l'administration (FSA), Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
| | - James Lamon Mtalimanja
- Department of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Health, P.O Box, 30205, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Xu Zheng Yuan
- School of International Pharmaceutical Business, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China
| | - Du Wenwen
- School of International Pharmaceutical Business, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Xu
- School of International Pharmaceutical Business, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, China.
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Gondwe KW, Walker RJ, Mkandawire-Valhmu L, Dressel A, Ngui EM, Kako PM, Egede L. Predictors of wealth index in Malawi – Analysis of Malawi demographic Health Survey 2004–2015/16. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2021; 2:100059. [PMID: 36101605 PMCID: PMC9461306 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To examine the wealth index over a decade utilizing Malawi’s Demographic and Health (DHS) survey data from 2004, 2010, and 2015/16, and to explore factors that predict higher wealth. Study design This was a retrospective descriptive study. Methods The study utilized DHS data from 2004, 2010, and 2015/2016. The total number of participants was 77,194. Linear regression models were used to assess the effects of the predictors. All analyses were conducted in Stata version 13. Results Findings showed no significant increase in wealth between the survey years. However, significant increases in wealth were associated with smaller family size (−0.09[-0.10, −0.08]), age (0.02[0.02,0.02]), having formal education (0.21[0.18, 0.24]), and living in urban areas (−1.84[-1.98, −1.70]). Differences in wealth also existed among the different ethnic and religious groups with the Chewa reporting less wealth than other groups, and people with any form of religion reporting more wealth than people with no religion. Conclusions Minimal changes in wealth have occurred in Malawi between 2004 and 2015/16, and sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and cultural factors are associated with wealth in this population.
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Azizi H, Majdzadeh R, Ahmadi A, Esmaeili ED, Naghili B, Mansournia MA. Health workers readiness and practice in malaria case detection and appropriate treatment: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Malar J 2021; 20:420. [PMID: 34689791 PMCID: PMC8543935 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03954-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Health workers (HWs) appropriate malaria case management includes early detection and prompt treatment with appropriate anti-malarial drugs. Subsequently, HWs readiness and practice are considered authentic evidence to measure the health system performance regarding malaria control programme milestones and to issue malaria elimination certification. There is no comprehensive evidence based on meta-analysis, to measure the performance of HWs in case management of malaria. This study aimed to evaluate HWs performance in early malaria case detection (testing) and the appropriate treatment. Methods The published literature in English was systematically searched from Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Malaria Journal up to 30th December 2020. The inclusion criteria were any studies that assessed HWs practice in early case detection by malaria testing and appropriate treatment. Eligibility assessment of records was performed independently in a blinded, standardized way by two reviewers. Pooled prevalence estimates were stratified by HWs cadre type. Meta-regression analysis was performed to explore the impact of the appropriateness of the method and risk of bias as potential sources of the heterogeneity in the presence of effective factors. Results The study pooled data of 9245 HWs obtained from 15 included studies. No study has been found in eliminating settings. The pooled estimate for appropriate malaria treatment and malaria testing were 60%; 95% CI: 53–67% and 57%; 95% CI: 49–65%, respectively. In the final multivariable meta-regression, HWs cadre and numbers, appropriateness of study methods, malaria morbidity and mortality, total admissions of malaria suspected cases, gross domestic product, availability of anti-malarial drugs, and year of the publication were explained 85 and 83% of the total variance between studies and potential sources of the heterogeneity for malaria testing and treating, respectively. Conclusion HWs adherence to appropriate malaria case management guidelines were generally low while no study has been found in eliminating countries. Studies with the inappropriateness methods and risk of bias could be overestimating the actual proportion of malaria appropriate testing and treating. Strategies that focus on improving readiness and early identification of acute febrile diseases especially in the countries that progress to malaria elimination should be highly promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hosein Azizi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Majdzadeh
- School of Public Health, Knowledge Utilization Research Center, and Community Based Participatory Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ayat Ahmadi
- Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Davtalab Esmaeili
- Research Center of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behrouz Naghili
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Broekhuizen H, Fehr A, Nieto-Sanchez C, Muela J, Peeters-Grietens K, Smekens T, Kalleh M, Rijndertse E, Achan J, D'Alessandro U. Costs and barriers faced by households seeking malaria treatment in the Upper River Region, The Gambia. Malar J 2021; 20:368. [PMID: 34530823 PMCID: PMC8447575 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-021-03898-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malaria transmission in The Gambia decreased substantially over the last 20 years thanks to the scale-up of control interventions. However, malaria prevalence is still relatively high in eastern Gambia and represents both a health and a financial burden for households. This study aims to quantify the out-of-pocket costs and productivity losses of seeking malaria treatment at household level. METHODS A household survey was carried out through in-person interviews. Respondents were asked about malaria prevention methods, their treatment-seeking behaviour, and any costs incurred for transport, services, food, and/or overnight stays. A bottom-up costing approach was used to calculate the unit cost of treatment and a tobit regression approach to investigate cost drivers. RESULTS The survey included 864 respondents, mainly subsistence farmers. Most respondents (87%) considered malaria to be a problem affecting their ability to perform their regular duties. Respondents preferred going to a health facility for treatment. The primary reason for not going was related to costs; 70% of respondents incurred costs for seeking health care, with a median of £3.62 (IQR: £1.73 to £6.10). The primary driver of cost was living in one of the villages that are off the main road and/or far from health facilities. 66% reported productivity loss of 5 working days on average during a malaria episode of them or their child. CONCLUSIONS Although malaria prevalence is decreasing and treatment is provided free of charge, households seeking treatment are confronted with out-of-pocket expenditures and lost working days; particularly in remote villages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk Broekhuizen
- Dept. Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Dept. Health and Society, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Alexandra Fehr
- Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Medical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Claudia Nieto-Sanchez
- Medical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Koen Peeters-Grietens
- Medical Anthropology Unit, Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium.,School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tom Smekens
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Esmé Rijndertse
- Dept. Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jane Achan
- MRC The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia.,Malaria Research Consortium, London, UK
| | - Umberto D'Alessandro
- MRC The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, The Gambia
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14
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Sabermahani A, Sirizi MJ, Zolala F, Nazari S. Out-of-Pocket Costs and Importance of Nonmedical and Indirect Costs of Inpatients. Value Health Reg Issues 2021; 24:141-147. [PMID: 33578362 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Out-of-pocket (OOP) costs are a major part of the expenditures for healthcare services. In most cases, patient financial protection plans cover only direct medical costs and not other expenses by patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 800 patients referring medical centers of Kerman to analyse all aspects of OOP, especially after the Health Transformation Plan in Iran. Using the probability proportional to the size of the medical center, samples from each ward in each medical center were determined in accordance with the previous year's patient number. Randomly selected medical records of the last 2 weeks of patients discharged were collected, information was extracted, and telephone interviews were conducted. RESULTS The mean total OOP costs of a one-time hospitalization in all medical centers in Kerman was equal to 7 561 977 Iranian rials. Assuming a 5% threshold, 37% of patients in public centers were faced with catastrophic health expenditures for a one-time hospitalization. Based on the results of the regression model, reduction of length of stay, elimination of the need for the presence of next of kin, and provision of healthcare services out of hospitals can greatly reduce OOP expenditures. CONCLUSION Although direct medical costs are of special importance, and it is very necessary to protect patients against such costs, patients usually incur a variety of costs when receiving inpatient services. Inattention to direct nonmedical costs and indirect costs due to patients' and their next of kin's absenteeism may cause households to face catastrophic expenditures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Sabermahani
- Department of Management, Health Policy and Health Economics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Farzaneh Zolala
- Department of Management, Health Policy and Health Economics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sonia Nazari
- Department of Management, Health Policy and Health Economics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
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15
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Topazian HM, Gumbo A, Puerto-Meredith S, Njiko R, Mwanza A, Kayange M, Mwalilino D, Mvula B, Tegha G, Mvalo T, Edwards JK, Emch M, Pettifor A, Smith JS, Hoffman I, Meshnick SR, Juliano JJ. Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum malaria prevalence among adolescents and adults in Malawi, 2015-2016. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18740. [PMID: 33127922 PMCID: PMC7603306 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Malawi, with an estimated 18–19% prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum in children 2–10 years in 2015–2016. While children report the highest rates of clinical disease, adults are thought to be an important reservoir to sustained transmission due to persistent asymptomatic infection. The 2015–2016 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey was a nationally representative household survey which collected dried blood spots from 15,125 asymptomatic individuals ages 15–54 between October 2015 and February 2016. We performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction on 7,393 samples, detecting an overall P. falciparum prevalence of 31.1% (SE = 1.1). Most infections (55.6%) had parasitemias ≤ 10 parasites/µL. While 66.2% of individuals lived in a household that owned a bed net, only 36.6% reported sleeping under a long-lasting insecticide-treated net (LLIN) the previous night. Protective factors included urbanicity, greater wealth, higher education, and lower environmental temperatures. Living in a household with a bed net (prevalence difference 0.02, 95% CI − 0.02 to 0.05) and sleeping under an LLIN (0.01; − 0.02 to 0.04) were not protective against infection. Our findings demonstrate a higher parasite prevalence in adults than published estimates among children. Understanding the prevalence and distribution of asymptomatic infection is essential for targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary M Topazian
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA.
| | - Austin Gumbo
- National Malaria Control Programme, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Ruth Njiko
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Alexis Mwanza
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA
| | - Michael Kayange
- National Malaria Control Programme, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - David Mwalilino
- National HIV Reference Laboratory, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Bernard Mvula
- National HIV Reference Laboratory, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Gerald Tegha
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Tisungane Mvalo
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jessie K Edwards
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA
| | - Michael Emch
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA.,Department of Geography, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Audrey Pettifor
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA.,Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer S Smith
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA
| | - Irving Hoffman
- University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.,Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Steven R Meshnick
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27510, USA
| | - Jonathan J Juliano
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Cohen JL, Leslie HH, Saran I, Fink G. Quality of clinical management of children diagnosed with malaria: A cross-sectional assessment in 9 sub-Saharan African countries between 2007-2018. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003254. [PMID: 32925906 PMCID: PMC7489507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate clinical management of malaria in children is critical for preventing progression to severe disease and for reducing the continued high burden of malaria mortality. This study aimed to assess the quality of care provided to children under 5 diagnosed with malaria across 9 sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS AND FINDINGS We used data from the Service Provision Assessment (SPA) survey. SPAs are nationally representative facility surveys capturing quality of sick-child care, facility readiness, and provider and patient characteristics. The data set contained 24,756 direct clinical observations of outpatient sick-child visits across 9 countries, including Uganda (2007), Rwanda (2007), Namibia (2009), Kenya (2010), Malawi (2013), Senegal (2013-2017), Ethiopia (2014), Tanzania (2015), and Democratic Republic of the Congo (2018). We assessed the proportion of children with a malaria diagnosis who received a blood test diagnosis and an appropriate antimalarial. We used multilevel logistic regression to assess facility and provider and patient characteristics associated with these outcomes. Subgroup analyses with the 2013-2018 country surveys only were conducted for all outcomes. Children observed were on average 20.5 months old and were most commonly diagnosed with respiratory infection (47.7%), malaria (29.7%), and/or gastrointestinal infection (19.7%). Among the 7,340 children with a malaria diagnosis, 32.5% (95% CI: 30.3%-34.7%) received both a blood-test-based diagnosis and an appropriate antimalarial. The proportion of children with a blood test diagnosis and an appropriate antimalarial ranged from 3.4% to 57.1% across countries. In the more recent surveys (2013-2018), 40.7% (95% CI: 37.7%-43.6%) of children with a malaria diagnosis received both a blood test diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial. Roughly 20% of children diagnosed with malaria received no antimalarial at all, and nearly 10% received oral artemisinin monotherapy, which is not recommended because of concerns regarding parasite resistance. Receipt of a blood test diagnosis and appropriate antimalarial was positively correlated with being seen at a facility with diagnostic equipment in stock (adjusted OR 3.67; 95% CI: 2.72-4.95) and, in the 2013-2018 subsample, with being seen at a facility with Artemisinin Combination Therapies (ACTs) in stock (adjusted OR 1.60; 95% CI:1.04-2.46). However, even if all children diagnosed with malaria were seen by a trained provider at a facility with diagnostics and medicines in stock, only a predicted 37.2% (95% CI: 34.2%-40.1%) would have received a blood test and appropriate antimalarial (44.4% for the 2013-2018 subsample). Study limitations include the lack of confirmed malaria test results for most survey years, the inability to distinguish between a diagnosis of uncomplicated or severe malaria, the absence of other relevant indicators of quality of care including dosing and examinations, and that only 9 countries were studied. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that a majority of children diagnosed with malaria across the 9 surveyed sub-Saharan African countries did not receive recommended care. Clinical management is positively correlated with the stocking of essential commodities and is somewhat improved in more recent years, but important quality gaps remain in the countries studied. Continued reductions in malaria mortality will require a bigger push toward quality improvements in clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Cohen
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Hannah H. Leslie
- Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Indrani Saran
- Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Günther Fink
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Nakovics MI, Brenner S, Bongololo G, Chinkhumba J, Kalmus O, Leppert G, De Allegri M. Determinants of healthcare seeking and out-of-pocket expenditures in a "free" healthcare system: evidence from rural Malawi. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2020; 10:14. [PMID: 32462272 PMCID: PMC7254643 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-020-00271-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Monitoring financial protection is a key component in achieving Universal Health Coverage, even for health systems that grant their citizens access to care free-of-charge. Our study investigated out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on curative healthcare services and their determinants in rural Malawi, a country that has consistently aimed at providing free healthcare services. METHODS Our study used data from two consecutive rounds of a household survey conducted in 2012 and 2013 among 1639 households in three districts in rural Malawi. Given our explicit focus on OOPE for curative healthcare services, we relied on a Heckman selection model to account for the fact that relevant OOPE could only be observed for those who had sought care in the first place. RESULTS Our sample included a total of 2740 illness episodes. Among the 1884 (68.75%) that had made use of curative healthcare services, 494 (26.22%) had incurred a positive healthcare expenditure, whose mean amounted to 678.45 MWK (equivalent to 2.72 USD). Our analysis revealed a significant positive association between the magnitude of OOPE and age 15-39 years (p = 0.022), household head (p = 0.037), suffering from a chronic illness (p = 0.019), illness duration (p = 0.014), hospitalization (p = 0.002), number of accompanying persons (p = 0.019), wealth quartiles (p2 = 0.018; p3 = 0.001; p4 = 0.002), and urban residency (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that a formal policy commitment to providing free healthcare services is not sufficient to guarantee widespread financial protection and that additional measures are needed to protect particularly vulnerable population groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meike Irene Nakovics
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Brenner
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Grace Bongololo
- Research for Equity and Community Health (REACH) Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Jobiba Chinkhumba
- University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Southern Region Malawi
| | - Olivier Kalmus
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerald Leppert
- German Institute for Development Evaluation (DEval), Bonn, Germany
| | - Manuela De Allegri
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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18
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Tefera DR, Sinkie SO, Daka DW. Economic Burden of Malaria and Associated Factors Among Rural Households in Chewaka District, Western Ethiopia. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2020; 12:141-152. [PMID: 32210599 PMCID: PMC7075339 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s241590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There has been a remarkable decline in the burden of malaria in the past few decades in Ethiopia. However, malaria remains a major impediment to both health and economic development in Ethiopia, with 60% of the population at risk of contracting malaria. Hence, this study aimed to estimate the economic burden of malaria among rural households in Chewaka district, Buno Bedele zone, Oromia regional state, Western Ethiopia. METHODS Community-based cross-sectional study design was employed to estimate the economic burden of malaria at the household level from August 13 to September 2, 2018. A retrospective costing approach was employed, and cost was estimated from the perspective of households. The study included malaria expenditure of households during a one-year period (July 9, 2017 to July 9, 2018). Data were collected from 765 randomly selected households and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of the economic burden of malaria among rural households and all variables with P-value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant at 95% CI. RESULTS On average, each household comprised 2 malaria cases (SD 1.1) in the past one-year period and the prevalence of malaria in the study setting was 32% (95% CI, 30.5-33.2). The average annual income of households was US$626.7 (95% CI, 590.4-663.0). The mean annual cost of malaria illness to households was US$16 (95% CI, 14.8-17.2), and most of this cost (78%) was contributed by the indirect costs. In every household, on average, patients and companions or caregivers lost 3.4 productive workdays due to malaria illness, respectively. Fourteen households out of 100 spent more than 5% of their annual income on malaria treatment and hence, they were prone to high economic burden or catastrophic costs. Household level economic burden of malaria was determined by the sex and educational status of household head, means of transportation to treatment center, the episodes of malaria, the number of malaria "ill days" and type of malaria diagnosis. CONCLUSION Malaria continues to significantly impose an economic burden on the rural households of Ethiopia. Hence, the national malaria program needs to recognize and address the catastrophic costs associated with malaria illness. Efforts should be made to ensure universal access to and utilization of malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dufera Rikitu Tefera
- Public Health Department, Institute of Health Sciences, Wollega University, Nekemte, Ethiopia
| | - Shimeles Ololo Sinkie
- Department of Health Economics, Management and Policy, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Dawit Wolde Daka
- Department of Health Economics, Management and Policy, Faculty of Public Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Alonso S, Chaccour CJ, Elobolobo E, Nacima A, Candrinho B, Saifodine A, Saute F, Robertson M, Zulliger R. The economic burden of malaria on households and the health system in a high transmission district of Mozambique. Malar J 2019; 18:360. [PMID: 31711489 PMCID: PMC6849240 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-019-2995-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Mozambique. Increased investments in malaria control have reduced the burden, but few studies have estimated the costs of malaria in the country. This paper estimates the economic costs associated with malaria care to households and to the health system in the high burden district of Mopeia in central Mozambique. Methods Malaria care-seeking and morbidity costs were routinely collected among 1373 households with at least one child enrolled in an active case detection (ACD) cohort in Mopeia, and through cross-sectional surveys with 824 families in 2017 and 805 families in 2018. Household costs included direct medical expenses, transportation and opportunity costs of the time lost due to illness. Structured questionnaires were used to estimate the health system costs associated with malaria care in all 13 district health facilities. Cost estimations followed an ingredient-based approach with a top-down allocation approach for health system expenses. Results Among participants in cross-sectional studies, households sought care for nine severe malaria cases requiring hospital admission and for 679 uncomplicated malaria cases. Median household costs associated with uncomplicated malaria among individuals of all ages were US$ 3.46 (IQR US$ 0.07–22.41) and US$ 81.08 (IQR US$ 39.34–88.38) per severe case. Median household costs were lower among children under five (ACD cohort): US$ 1.63 (IQR US$ 0.00–7.79) per uncomplicated case and US$ 64.90 (IQR US$ 49.76–80.96) per severe case. Opportunity costs were the main source of household costs. Median health system costs associated with malaria among patients of all ages were US$ 4.34 (IQR US$ 4.32–4.35) per uncomplicated case and US$ 26.56 (IQR US$ 18.03–44.09) per severe case. Considering household and health system costs, the overall cost of malaria care to society was US$ 7.80 per uncomplicated case and US$ 107.64 per severe case, representing an economic malaria burden of US$ 332,286.24 (IQR US$ 186,355.84–1,091,212.90) per year only in Mopeia. Conclusions Despite the provision of free malaria services, households in Mopeia incur significant direct and indirect costs associated with the disease. Furthermore, the high malaria cost on the Mozambican health system underscores the need to strengthen malaria prevention to reduce the high burden and improve productivity in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi Alonso
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Bairro Cambeve, Rua 12, Distrito da Manhiça, CP 1929, Maputo, Mozambique. .,ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Carlos J Chaccour
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Bairro Cambeve, Rua 12, Distrito da Manhiça, CP 1929, Maputo, Mozambique.,ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eldo Elobolobo
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Bairro Cambeve, Rua 12, Distrito da Manhiça, CP 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Amilcar Nacima
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Bairro Cambeve, Rua 12, Distrito da Manhiça, CP 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Abuchahama Saifodine
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative, US Agency for International Development, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Francisco Saute
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Bairro Cambeve, Rua 12, Distrito da Manhiça, CP 1929, Maputo, Mozambique
| | | | - Rose Zulliger
- U.S. President's Malaria Initiative and Malaria Branch, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Maputo, Mozambique
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Feachem RGA, Chen I, Akbari O, Bertozzi-Villa A, Bhatt S, Binka F, Boni MF, Buckee C, Dieleman J, Dondorp A, Eapen A, Sekhri Feachem N, Filler S, Gething P, Gosling R, Haakenstad A, Harvard K, Hatefi A, Jamison D, Jones KE, Karema C, Kamwi RN, Lal A, Larson E, Lees M, Lobo NF, Micah AE, Moonen B, Newby G, Ning X, Pate M, Quiñones M, Roh M, Rolfe B, Shanks D, Singh B, Staley K, Tulloch J, Wegbreit J, Woo HJ, Mpanju-Shumbusho W. Malaria eradication within a generation: ambitious, achievable, and necessary. Lancet 2019; 394:1056-1112. [PMID: 31511196 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31139-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G A Feachem
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid Chen
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Omar Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Amelia Bertozzi-Villa
- Malaria Atlas Project, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Institute for Disease Modeling, Bellevue, WA, USA
| | - Samir Bhatt
- Malaria Atlas Project, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fred Binka
- School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Maciej F Boni
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Penn State, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Buckee
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Dieleman
- Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Arjen Dondorp
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alex Eapen
- National Institute of Malaria Research, Chennai, India
| | - Neelam Sekhri Feachem
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Scott Filler
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Peter Gething
- Malaria Atlas Project, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roly Gosling
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Annie Haakenstad
- Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly Harvard
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arian Hatefi
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dean Jamison
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kate E Jones
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Altaf Lal
- Sun Pharma Industries, Mumbai, India
| | - Erika Larson
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Margaret Lees
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Neil F Lobo
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angela E Micah
- Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bruno Moonen
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gretchen Newby
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xiao Ning
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Muhammad Pate
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Martha Quiñones
- Department of Public Health, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Michelle Roh
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ben Rolfe
- Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance, Singapore
| | | | - Balbir Singh
- Malaria Research Center, University Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Jennifer Wegbreit
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hyun Ju Woo
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Nyasulu PS, Ngamasana E, Kandala NB. Sources of Health Care Among Under-5 Malawian Children With Diarrhea Episodes: An Analysis of the 2017 Demographic and Health Survey. Glob Pediatr Health 2019; 6:2333794X19855468. [PMID: 31259208 PMCID: PMC6589950 DOI: 10.1177/2333794x19855468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world but mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa. These could be prevented if universal coverage of current available interventions were implemented. The study aimed to identify factors associated with the choice of health care source among caretakers seeking treatment for under-5 children with diarrhea illness. Using women's questionnaire we extracted a subset of data of children aged 0 to 59 months from the 2017 Demographic & Health Survey. Questions regarding history of childhood diarrhea for the past 24 hours or last 2 weeks prior to the survey were key in data extraction. Caregivers were asked to report the place where they sought treatment. In this study, 4 types of health facilities were defined: public, private, pharmacies, and other unspecified sources. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify sources of health facility used and corresponding factors associated with the choice. Factors associated with choice of health care source included education (educated women were less likely to self-medicate their children [relative risk ration (RRR) = 0.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22-0.94]), income (better income earning families were more likely to seek care from private facility such as pharmacy [RRR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.14-3.09]), and rural living (those in rural areas were more likely to seek treatment from other unspecified sources [RRR = 7.33, 95% CI = 1.40-38.36]). Public health facilities (79.9%) were the main source of health care service; however, reducing under-5 mortality due to diarrhea illness would require significant efforts to address other inequalities in accessing and utilizing health care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Suwirakwenda Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Health Medicine & Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala
- Northumbria University, Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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22
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Castellani J, Mihaylova B, Siribié M, Gansane Z, Ouedraogo AZ, Fouque F, Sirima SB, Evers SMAA, Paulus ATG, Gomes M. Household costs and time to treatment for children with severe febrile illness in rural Burkina Faso: the role of rectal artesunate. Malar J 2018; 17:380. [PMID: 30348157 PMCID: PMC6198525 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2526-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Community health workers (CHWs) were trained to identify children with malaria who could not take oral medication, treat them with rectal artesunate (RA) and refer them to the closest healthcare facility to complete management. However, many children with such symptoms did not seek CHWs’ care. The hypothesis was that the cost of referral to a health facility was a deterrent. The goal of this study was to compare the out-of-pocket costs and time to seek treatment for children who sought CHW care (and received RA) versus those who did not. Methods Children with symptoms of severe malaria receiving RA at CHWs and children with comparable disease symptoms who did not go to a CHW were identified and their parents were interviewed. Household out-of-pocket costs per illness episode and speed of treatment were evaluated and compared between RA-treated children vs. non-RA treated children and by central nervous symptoms (CNS: repeated convulsions, altered consciousness or coma). Results Among children with CNS symptoms, costs of RA-treated children were similar to those of non-RA treated children ($5.83 vs. $4.65; p = 0.52), despite higher transport costs ($2.74 vs. $0.91; p < 0.0001). However, among children without CNS symptoms, costs of RA-treated children were higher than the costs of non-RA treated children with similar symptoms ($5.62 vs. $2.59; p = 0.0001), and the main driver of the cost difference was transport. After illness onset, CNS children reached CHWs for RA an average of 9.0 h vs. 16.1 h for non-RA treated children reaching first treatment [difference 7.1 h (95% CI − 1.8 to 16.1), p = 0.11]. For non-CNS patients the average time to CHW-delivered RA treatment was 12.2 h vs. 20.1 h for those reaching first treatment [difference 7.9 h (95% CI 0.2–15.6), p = 0.04]. More non-RA treated children developed CNS symptoms before arrival at the health centre but the difference was not statistically significant (6% vs. 4%; p = 0.58). Conclusions Community health worker-delivered RA does not affect the total out-of-pocket costs when used in children with CNS symptoms, but is associated with higher total out-of-pocket costs when used in children with less severe symptoms. RA-treated children sought treatment more quickly. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12936-018-2526-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Castellani
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Borislava Mihaylova
- Health Economics Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mohamadou Siribié
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Zakaria Gansane
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Florence Fouque
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sodiomon B Sirima
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Silvia M A A Evers
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Aggie T G Paulus
- Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Melba Gomes
- UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research & Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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23
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Nkoka O, Chuang TW, Chen YH. Association between timing and number of antenatal care visits on uptake of intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy among Malawian women. Malar J 2018; 17:211. [PMID: 29793482 PMCID: PMC5968590 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-018-2360-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria in pregnancy is a critical public health challenge, and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) has proven to be an effective intervention. However, access to and use of malaria interventions, including IPTp, remains a considerable problem among African women. This cross-sectional study investigated factors, including antenatal care (ANC) attendance (both numbers of visits and timing of the first visit) and socio-demographics, associated with the uptake of the recommended IPTp dose among Malawian women. Methods A nationally representative sample of women with a live birth in the 2 years preceding the survey from the Malawi Demographic Health Survey 2015–2016 dataset was analysed. Self-reported data on socio-demographics, ANC attendance and IPTp uptake were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using logistic models. Results Of the 6549 included women, 1981 (30.2%) took the recommended three or more IPTp doses. Despite inadequate ANC visits, early ANC initiation increased the likelihood of these women taking the recommended IPTp dose; women who initiated ANC in the first [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.24; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44–3.49] and second (aOR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.56–3.08) trimesters were more likely to take the recommended IPTp dose compared to late initiators. The effect of the number of ANC visits on IPTp uptake was significant in married women (aOR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.42–1.98), and the timing of first ANC visit was associated with IPTp uptake only among rural women (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.54–2.95). Conclusion ANC attendance is vital in IPTp uptake. The results highlight the need for health care providers to encourage women, particularly those in high-risk groups, to make frequent ANC visits and receive early ANC initiation to ensure high coverage of the recommended IPTp dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Nkoka
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Wu Chuang
- Department of Molecular Parasitology and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Chen
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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