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Nguyen PT, Nguyen TT, Huynh LT, Graham SM, Marais BJ. Clinical algorithm reduces antibiotic use among children presenting with respiratory symptoms to hospital in central Vietnam. Pneumonia (Nathan) 2023; 15:11. [PMID: 37488633 PMCID: PMC10367404 DOI: 10.1186/s41479-023-00113-9] [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: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the safety and utility of a pragmatic clinical algorithm to guide rational antibiotic use in children presenting with respiratory infection. METHODS The effect of an algorithm to guide the management of young (< 5 years) children presenting with respiratory symptoms to the Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Vietnam, was evaluated in a before-after intervention analysis. The main outcome was reduction in antibiotic use, with monitoring of potential harm resulting from reduced antibiotic use. The intervention comprised a single training session of physicians in the use of an algorithm informed by local evidence; developed during a previous prospective observational study. The evaluation was performed one month after the training. RESULTS Of the 1290 children evaluated before the intervention, 102 (7.9%) were admitted to hospital and 556/1188 (46.8%) were sent home with antibiotics. Due to COVID-19, only 166 children were evaluated after the intervention of whom 14 (8.4%) were admitted to hospital and 54/152 (35.5%) were sent home with antibiotics. Antibiotic use was reduced (from 46.8% to 35.5%; p = 0.009) after clinician training, but adequate comparison was compromised. The reduction was most pronounced in children with wheeze or runny nose and no fever, or a normal chest radiograph, where antibiotic use declined from 46.7% to 28.8% (p < 0.0001). The frequency of repeat presentation to hospital was similar between the two study periods (141/1188; 11.9% before and 10/152; 6.6% after; p = 0.10). No child represented with serious disease after being sent home without antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS We observed a reduction in antibiotic use in young children with a respiratory infection after physician training in the use of a simple evidence-based management algorithm. However, the study was severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, requiring further evaluation to confirm the observed effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Tk Nguyen
- Respiratory Department, Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Da Nang, Vietnam.
- Sydney Vietnam Initiative, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Tam Tm Nguyen
- Respiratory Department, Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Lan Tb Huynh
- Respiratory Department, Da Nang Hospital for Women and Children, Da Nang, Vietnam
| | - Stephen M Graham
- Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ben J Marais
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute (Sydney ID), The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Memirie ST, Tolla MT, Rumpler E, Sato R, Bolongaita S, Tefera YL, Tesfaye L, Tadesse MZ, Getnet F, Mengistu T, Verguet S. Out-of-pocket expenditures and financial risks associated with treatment of vaccine-preventable diseases in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional costing analysis. PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004198. [PMID: 36897870 PMCID: PMC10004560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Universal access to vaccination, besides improved health outcomes, would substantially reduce VPD-related out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures and associated financial risks. This paper aims to estimate the extent of OOP expenditures and the magnitude of the associated catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) for selected VPDs in Ethiopia. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a cross-sectional costing analysis, from the household (patient) perspective, of care-seeking for VPDs in children aged under 5 years for pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, and pertussis, and in children aged under 15 years for meningitis. Data on OOP direct medical and nonmedical expenditures (2021 USD) and household consumption expenditures were collected from 995 households (1 child per household) in 54 health facilities nationwide between May 1 and July 31, 2021. We used descriptive statistics to measure the main outcomes: magnitude of OOP expenditures, along with the associated CHE within households. Drivers of CHE were assessed using a logistic regression model. The mean OOP expenditures per disease episode for outpatient care for diarrhea, pneumonia, pertussis, and measles were $5·6 (95% confidence interval (CI): $4·3, 6·8), $7·8 ($5·3, 10·3), $9·0 ($6·4, 11·6), and $7·4 ($3·0, 11·9), respectively. The mean OOP expenditures were higher for inpatient care, ranging from $40·6 (95% CI: $12·9, 68·3) for severe measles to $101·7 ($88·5, 114·8) for meningitis. Direct medical expenditures, particularly drug and supply expenses, were the major cost drivers. Among those who sought inpatient care (345 households), about 13·3% suffered CHE, at a 10% threshold of annual consumption expenditures. The type of facility visited, receiving inpatient care, and wealth were significant predictors of CHE (p-value < 0·001) while adjusting for area of residence (urban/rural), diagnosis, age of respondent, and household family size. Limitations include inadequate number of measles and pertussis cases. CONCLUSIONS The OOP expenditures induced by VPDs are substantial in Ethiopia and disproportionately impact those with low income and those requiring inpatient care. Expanding equitable access to vaccines cannot be overemphasized, for both health and economic reasons. Such realization requires the government's commitment toward increasing and sustaining vaccine financing in Ethiopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solomon Tessema Memirie
- Addis Center for Ethics and Priority Setting, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Mieraf Taddesse Tolla
- Addis Center for Ethics and Priority Setting, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Eva Rumpler
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ryoko Sato
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah Bolongaita
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Latera Tesfaye
- National Data Management Center for Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Fentabil Getnet
- National Data Management Center for Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Stéphane Verguet
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Chala TK, Lemma TD, Godana KT, Arefayine MB, Abdissa A, Gudina EK. The Cost of Suspected and Confirmed Bacterial Meningitis Cases Treated at Jimma University Medical Center, Ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci 2022; 32:765-772. [PMID: 35950067 PMCID: PMC9341010 DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i4.13] [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: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infections of the central nervous system (CNS) such as meningitis or encephalitis can be caused by myriad of microorganisms and may be life-threatening. In Ethiopia, it is an important cause of premature death and disability, being the 9th most common cause of years of life lost and loss of disability-adjusted life years. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of suspected and confirmed bacterial meningitis among inpatient managed patients at JUMC. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 28 to September 12, 2018. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in this study. Checklists were used to collect the types of laboratory tests performed and prescribed medications. This cost of illness study was conducted from the patient perspectives. We employed a micro-costing bottom-up approach to estimate the direct cost of meningitis. The human capital approach was used for estimating wages lost. Result Among total patients admitted and treated in JUMC, higher proportions (69.8%) were suspected bacterial meningitis but have been treated as confirmed cases. Total median costs for both suspected and confirmed bacterial meningitis patients were estimated to be ETB 98,812.32 (US $ 3,593.2; IQR 1,303.0 to 5,734.0). Total median direct cost was ETB 79,248.02 (US $ 2,881.75; IQR 890.7 to 3,576.7). Moreover, 45.3% of the patients reported that they were either admitted or given medication at JUMC or nearby health facility before their current admissions. Conclusion These findings indicate that most cases of bacterial meningitis were treated only empirically, and the cost of the treatment was high, especially for resource-limited countries like Ethiopia. To minimize the burden of meningitis and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations, the availability of diagnostic techniques is vitally important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temesgen Kabeta Chala
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Teferi Daba Lemma
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Kora Tushune Godana
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Institute of health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | | | - Esayas Kebede Gudina
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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4
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Hung TM, Van Hao N, Yen LM, McBride A, Dat VQ, van Doorn HR, Loan HT, Phong NT, Llewelyn MJ, Nadjm B, Yacoub S, Thwaites CL, Ahmed S, Van Vinh Chau N, Turner HC. Direct Medical Costs of Tetanus, Dengue, and Sepsis Patients in an Intensive Care Unit in Vietnam. Front Public Health 2022; 10:893200. [PMID: 35812512 PMCID: PMC9263973 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.893200] [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: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Critically ill patients often require complex clinical care by highly trained staff within a specialized intensive care unit (ICU) with advanced equipment. There are currently limited data on the costs of critical care in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to investigate the direct-medical costs of key infectious disease (tetanus, sepsis, and dengue) patients admitted to ICU in a hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, and explores how the costs and cost drivers can vary between the different diseases. Methods We calculated the direct medical costs for patients requiring critical care for tetanus, dengue and sepsis. Costing data (stratified into different cost categories) were extracted from the bills of patients hospitalized to the adult ICU with a dengue, sepsis and tetanus diagnosis that were enrolled in three studies conducted at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in HCMC from January 2017 to December 2019. The costs were considered from the health sector perspective. The total sample size in this study was 342 patients. Results ICU care was associated with significant direct medical costs. For patients that did not require mechanical ventilation, the median total ICU cost per patient varied between US$64.40 and US$675 for the different diseases. The costs were higher for patients that required mechanical ventilation, with the median total ICU cost per patient for the different diseases varying between US$2,590 and US$4,250. The main cost drivers varied according to disease and associated severity. Conclusion This study demonstrates the notable cost of ICU care in Vietnam and in similar LMIC settings. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the costs and economic burden incurred by ICU patients. The data also highlight the importance of evaluating novel critical care interventions that could reduce the costs of ICU care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trinh Manh Hung
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Van Hao
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Lam Minh Yen
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Angela McBride
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Vu Quoc Dat
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - H Rogier van Doorn
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Huynh Thi Loan
- Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | | | - Martin J Llewelyn
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Behzad Nadjm
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit the Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Fajara, Gambia
| | - Sophie Yacoub
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - C Louise Thwaites
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sayem Ahmed
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hugo C Turner
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, United Kingdom
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Shrestha S, Chapagain RH, Purakayastha DR, Basnet S, Wadhwa N, Strand TA, Basnet S. Assessment of hospitalization costs and its determinants in infants with clinical severe infection at a public tertiary hospital in Nepal. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260127. [PMID: 34843530 PMCID: PMC8629207 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis, an important and preventable cause of death in the newborn, is associated with high out of pocket hospitalization costs for the parents/guardians. The government of Nepal’s Free Newborn Care (FNC) service that covers hospitalization costs has set a maximum limit of Nepalese rupees (NPR) 8000 i.e. USD 73.5, the basis of which is unclear. We aimed to estimate the costs of treatment in neonates and young infants fulfilling clinical criteria for sepsis, defined as clinical severe infection (CSI) to identify determinants of increased cost. This study assessed costs for treatment of 206 infants 3–59 days old, enrolled in a clinical trial, and admitted to the Kanti Children’s Hospital in Nepal through June 2017 to December 2018. Total costs were derived as the sum of direct costs for bed charges, investigations, and medicines and indirect costs calculated by using work time loss of parents. We estimated treatment costs for CSI, the proportion exceeding NPR 8000 and performed multivariable linear regression to identify determinants of high cost. Of the 206 infants, 138 (67%) were neonates (3–28 days). The median (IQR) direct costs for treatment of CSI in neonates and young infants (29–59 days) were USD 111.7 (69.8–155.5) and 65.17 (43.4–98.5) respectively. The direct costs exceeded NPR 8000 (USD 73.5) in 69% of neonates with CSI. Age <29 days, moderate malnutrition, presence of any sign of critical illness and documented treatment failure were found to be important determinants of high costs for treatment of CSI. According to this study, the average treatment cost for a newborn with CSI in a public tertiary level hospital is substantial. The maximum limit offered for free newborn care in public hospitals needs to be revised for better acceptance and successful implementation of the FNC service to avert catastrophic health expenditures in developing countries like Nepal. Trial Registration: CTRI/2017/02/007966 (Registered on: 27/02/2017).
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Affiliation(s)
- Suchita Shrestha
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, Child Health Research Project, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Debjani Ram Purakayastha
- Pediatric Biology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Srijana Basnet
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Nitya Wadhwa
- Pediatric Biology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Tor A. Strand
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Lillehammer, Norway
| | - Sudha Basnet
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
- Centre for Intervention Science in Maternal and Child Health, Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- * E-mail:
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6
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Sultana M, Alam NH, Ali N, Faruque ASG, Fuchs GJ, Gyr N, Chisti MJ, Ahmed T, Gold L. Household economic burden of childhood severe pneumonia in Bangladesh: a cost-of-illness study. Arch Dis Child 2021; 106:539-546. [PMID: 33906852 PMCID: PMC8142430 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate household cost of illness (COI) for children with severe pneumonia in Bangladesh. DESIGN An incidence-based COI study was performed for one episode of childhood severe pneumonia from a household perspective. Face-to-face interviews collected data on socioeconomic, resource use and cost from caregivers. A micro-costing bottom-up approach was applied to calculate medical, non-medical and time costs. Multiple regression analysis was applied to explore the factors associated with COI. Sensitivity analysis explored the robustness of cost parameters. SETTING Four urban and rural study sites from two districts in Bangladesh. PATIENTS Children aged 2-59 months with severe pneumonia. RESULTS 1472 children with severe pneumonia were enrolled between November 2015 and March 2019. The mean age of children was 12 months (SD ±10.2) and 64% were male. The mean household cost per episode was US$147 (95% CI 141.1 to 152.7). Indirect costs were the main cost drivers (65%, US$96). Household costs for the poorest income quintile were lower in absolute terms, but formed a higher proportion of monthly income. COI was significantly higher if treatment was received from urban health facilities compared with rural health facilities (difference US$84.9, 95% CI 73.3 to 96.3). Child age, household income, healthcare facility and hospital length of stay (LoS) were significant predictors of household COI. Costs were most sensitive to hospital LoS and productivity loss. CONCLUSIONS Severe pneumonia in young children is associated with high household economic burden and cost varies significantly across socioeconomic parameters. Management strategies with improved accessibility are needed particularly for the poor to make treatment affordable in order to reduce household economic burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marufa Sultana
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh .,Deakin Health Economics, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nur H Alam
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr, b, Dhaka, Bangladesh,Clinical Sciences Division (CSD), Centre for Nutrition and Food Security (CNFS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Nausad Ali
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr, b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - A S G Faruque
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr, b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - George J Fuchs
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Niklaus Gyr
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Md Jobayer Chisti
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr, b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tahmeed Ahmed
- Nutrition and Clinical Services Division, icddr, b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Lisa Gold
- Deakin Health Economics, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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de Broucker G, Sim SY, Brenzel L, Gross M, Patenaude B, Constenla DO. Cost of Nine Pediatric Infectious Illnesses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Cost-of-Illness Studies. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2020; 38:1071-1094. [PMID: 32748334 PMCID: PMC7578143 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-020-00940-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cost-of-illness data from empirical studies provide insights into the use of healthcare resources including both expenditures and the opportunity cost related to receiving treatment. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic review was to gather cost data and relevant parameters for hepatitis B, pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis, rubella, yellow fever, measles, influenza, and acute gastroenteritis in children in low- and middle-income countries. DATA SOURCES Peer-reviewed studies published in public health, medical, and economic journals indexed in PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, and EconLit. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS Studies must (1) be peer reviewed, (2) be published in 2000-2016, (3) provide cost data for one of the nine diseases in children aged under 5 years in low- and middle-income countries, and (4) generated from primary data collection. LIMITATIONS We cannot exclude missing a few articles in our review. Measures were taken to reduce this risk. Several articles published since 2016 are omitted from the systematic review results, these articles are included in the discussion. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS The review yielded 37 articles and 267 sets of cost estimates. We found no cost-of-illness studies with cost estimates for hepatitis B, measles, rubella, or yellow fever from primary data. Most estimates were from countries in Gavi preparatory (28%) and accelerated (28%) transition, followed by those who are initiating self-financing (22%) and those not eligible for Gavi support (19%). Thirteen articles compared household expenses to manage illnesses with income and two articles with other household expenses, such as food, clothing, and rent. An episode of illness represented 1-75% of the household's monthly income or 10-83% of its monthly expenses. Articles that presented both household and government perspectives showed that most often governments incurred greater costs than households, including non-medical and indirect costs, across countries of all income statuses, with a few notable exceptions. Although limited for low- and middle-income country settings, cost estimates generated from primary data collection provided a 'real-world' estimate of the economic burden of vaccine-preventable diseases. Additional information on whether common situations preventing the application of official clinical guidelines (such as medication stock-outs) occurred would help reveal deficiencies in the health system. Improving the availability of cost-of-illness evidence can inform the public policy agenda about healthcare priorities and can help to operationalize the healthcare budget in local health systems to respond adequately to the burden of illness in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gatien de Broucker
- International Vaccine Access Center, 415 North Washington Street, Suite #530, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
| | - So Yoon Sim
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Margaret Gross
- Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bryan Patenaude
- International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dagna O Constenla
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Panama City, Panama
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Huong VTL, Turner HC, Kinh NV, Thai PQ, Hoa NT, Horby P, van Doorn HR, Wertheim HFL. Burden of disease and economic impact of human Streptococcus suis infection in Viet Nam. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2020; 113:341-350. [PMID: 30809669 PMCID: PMC6580695 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Revised: 12/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic disease mainly affecting men of working age and can result in death or long-term sequelae, including severe hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction. We aimed to quantify the burden of disease and economic impact of this infection in Viet Nam. METHODS The annual disease incidence for the period 2011-2014 was estimated based on surveillance data using a multiple imputation approach. We calculated disease burden in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and economic costs using an incidence-based approach from a patient's perspective and including direct and indirect impacts of S. suis infection and its long-term sequelae. RESULTS The estimated annual incidence rate was 0.318, 0.324, 0.255 and 0.249 cases per 100 000 population in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. The corresponding DALYs lost were 1832, 1866, 1467 and 1437. The mean direct cost per episode was US$1635 (95% confidence interval 1352-1923). The annual direct cost was US$370 000-500 000 and the indirect cost was US$2.27-2.88 million in this time period. CONCLUSIONS This study showed a large disease burden and high economic impact of S. suis infection and provides important data for disease monitoring and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Thi Lan Huong
- Wellcome Trust Asia Programme-Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, 78 Giai Phong, Dong Da, Ha Noi, Viet Nam
| | - Hugo C Turner
- Wellcome Trust Asia Programme-Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road campus, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Nguyen Van Kinh
- National Hospital for Tropical Diseases, 78 Giai Phong, Dong Da, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Pham Quang Thai
- National Institute for Hygiene and Epidemiology, 131 Lo Duc, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Ngo Thi Hoa
- Wellcome Trust Asia Programme-Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Ward 1, District 5, Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road campus, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Horby
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road campus, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, UK
| | - H Rogier van Doorn
- Wellcome Trust Asia Programme-Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, 78 Giai Phong, Dong Da, Ha Noi, Viet Nam.,Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road campus, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, UK
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9
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Sabin LL, Estrella B, Sempértegui F, Farquhar N, Mesic A, Halim N, Lin CY, Rodriguez O, Hamer DH. Household Costs Associated with Hospitalization of Children with Severe Pneumonia in Quito, Ecuador. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:731-739. [PMID: 32067631 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Pneumonia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. The total cost of pneumonia-related hospitalization, including household-level cost, is poorly understood. To better understand this burden in an urban setting in South America, we incorporated a cost study into a trial assessing zinc supplements in treatment of severe pneumonia among children aged 2-59 months at a public hospital in Quito, Ecuador, which provides such treatment at no charge. Data were collected from children's caregivers at hospitalization and discharge on out-of-pocket payments for medical and nonmedical items, and on employment and lost work time. Analyses encompassed three categories: direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs, which covered foregone wages (from caregivers' self-reported lost earnings) and opportunity cost of caregivers' lost time (based on the unskilled labor wage in Ecuador). Caregivers of 153 children completed all questionnaires. Overall, 57% of children were aged less than 12 months, and 46% were female. Just over 50% of mothers and fathers had completed middle school. Most reported direct costs, which averaged $33. Most also reported indirect costs, the mean of which was $74. Fifty-seven reported lost earnings (mean = $79); 29 reported lost time (estimated mean cost = $37). Stratified analyses revealed similar costs for children < 12 months and ≥ 12 months, with variations for specific items. Costs for hospital-based treatment of severe pneumonia in young children represent a major burden for households in low- to middle-income settings, even when such treatment is intended to be provided at no cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora L Sabin
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bertha Estrella
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,Corporacion Ecuatoriana de Biotecnologia, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Fernando Sempértegui
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Central del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,Corporacion Ecuatoriana de Biotecnologia, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Norman Farquhar
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Aldina Mesic
- Innovations for Poverty Action Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nafisa Halim
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Chia-Ying Lin
- United States Agency for International Development, Arlington, Virginia
| | | | - Davidson H Hamer
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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10
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Machuki JA, Aduda DSO, Omondi AB, Onono MA. Patient-level cost of home- and facility-based child pneumonia treatment in Suba Sub County, Kenya. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225194. [PMID: 31743375 PMCID: PMC6863537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, pneumonia accounted for 16% of deaths among children under 5 years of age and was one of the major causes of death overall in 2018. Kenya is ranked among the top 15 countries with regard to pneumonia prevalence and contributed approximately 74% of the world's annual pneumonia cases in 2018. Unfortunately, less than 50% of children with pneumonia receive appropriate antibiotics for treatment. Homa-Bay County implemented pneumonia community case management utilizing community health workers, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2014. However, since implementation of the program, the relative patient-level cost of home-based and facility-based treatment of pneumonia, as well as the main drivers of these costs in Suba Subcounty, remain uncertain. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to compare the patient-level costs of home based treatment of pneumonia by a community health worker with those of health facility-based treatment. Methods and findings Using a cross-sectional study design, a structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 208 caregivers on the direct costs (consultation, medicine, transportation) and indirect costs (opportunity cost) of pneumonia treatment. The average household cost for the community managed patients was KSH 122.65 ($1.29) compared with KSh 447.46 ($4.71), a 4-fold difference, for those treated at the health facility. The largest cost drivers for home treatment and health facility treatment were opportunity costs (KSH 88.25 ($ 0.93)) and medicine costs (KSH 126.16 ($ 1.33)), respectively. Conclusion This study demonstrates that the costs incurred for home-based pneumonia management are considerably lower compared to those incurred for facility-based management. Opportunity costs (caregiver time and forgone wages) and the cost of medication were the key cost-drivers in the management of pneumonia at the health facility and at home, respectively. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen and scale community case management to overcome barriers and delays in accessing the correct treatment for pneumonia for sick children under 5 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Amenya Machuki
- Department of Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Dickens S. Omondi Aduda
- Department of Public Health and Community Development, University of Kabianga, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Abong’o B. Omondi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Technology, The National University of Lesotho, Maseru, Lesotho
- Department of Biology, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho, South Africa
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11
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Treatment cost and costing model of obstetric complications at a hospital in Myanmar. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213141. [PMID: 30893318 PMCID: PMC6426195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal health still remains a major challenge in almost all developing countries. In Myanmar, the country met only 62% of its target for the maternal mortality rate (130 per 100,000 live birth) even though proportion of skilled birth attendant (SBA) and antenatal care (ANC) coverage was 80% in 2015. Despite the estimated large maternal complications, most maternal healthcare program ignored the burden of those morbidity because of limited understanding of the incidence and prevalence of morbidity conditions and cost of those morbidity burdens on society. The present study provides a general idea of the scope of obstetric complication, incidence of obstetric complication, and cost of those morbidity burdens on society. We conducted a retrospective incidence-based cost of illness study related to obstetric complication from the healthcare system perspective at 25 bedded township hospital in Yedashae during the fiscal year of 2015–2016. For the cost of obstetric complication, average treatment cost was 26.83 USD (±8.59). When looking by disease category, average treatment cost for incomplete abortion was 35.45 USD (±1.75); pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) was 16.01 USD; pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) was 21.02 USD (±4.68); ante-partum hemorrhage (APH) was 14.24(± 0.25); post-partum hemorrhage (PPH) was 27.04 USD (±1.56); prolonged labor was 37.55 USD (±0.42); and septicemia was 16.51 USD (±2.15). Significant predicting variables in obstetric complication cost model were incomplete abortion, prolonged labor, post-partum hemorrhage (PPH), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), patient age and septicemia. From this study, we can summarize the most frequently occurred obstetric complication in that township area, actual cost burden of those complications and obstetric complication cost model which can be useful for hospital financial management. This study can be considered as a starting point for cost of illness analysis in Myanmar to prioritize and target specific health problem at a country level for policy maker to set priorities for health care intervention.
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12
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Lee JS, Mogasale V, Lim JK, Ly S, Lee KS, Sorn S, Andia E, Carabali M, Namkung S, Lim SK, Ridde V, Njenga SM, Yaro S, Yoon IK. A multi-country study of the economic burden of dengue fever based on patient-specific field surveys in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Cambodia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007164. [PMID: 30817776 PMCID: PMC6394908 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dengue fever is a rapidly growing public health problem in many parts of the tropics and sub-tropics in the world. While there are existing studies on the economic burden of dengue fever in some of dengue-endemic countries, cost components are often not standardized, making cross-country comparisons challenging. Furthermore, no such studies have been available in Africa. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A patient-specific survey questionnaire was developed and applied in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Cambodia in a standardized format. Multiple interviews were carried out in order to capture the entire cost incurred during the period of dengue illness. Both private (patient's out-of-pocket) and public (non-private) expenditure were accessed to understand how the economic burden of dengue is distributed between private and non-private payers. A substantial number of dengue-confirmed patients were identified in all three countries: 414 in Burkina Faso, 149 in Kenya, and 254 in Cambodia. The average cost of illness for dengue fever was $26 (95% CI $23-$29) and $134 (95% CI $119-$152) per inpatient in Burkina Faso and Cambodia, respectively. In the case of outpatients, the average economic burden per episode was $13 (95% CI $23-$29) in Burkina Faso and $23 (95% CI $19-$28) in Kenya. Compared to Cambodia, public contributions were trivial in Burkina Faso and Kenya, reflecting that a majority of medical costs had to be directly borne by patients in the two countries. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The cost of illness for dengue fever is significant in the three countries. In particular, the current study sheds light on the potential economic burden of the disease in Burkina Faso and Kenya where existing evidence is sparse in the context of dengue fever, and underscores the need to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Given the availability of the current (CYD-TDV) and second-generation dengue vaccines in the near future, our study outcomes can be used to guide decision makers in setting health policy priorities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sowath Ly
- Institute Pasteur, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | - Esther Andia
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Suk Namkung
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sl-Ki Lim
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Valéry Ridde
- French Institute for Research on Sustainable Development (IRD), Universités Paris Sorbonne Cités, Paris, France
- University of Montreal Public Health Research Institute (IRSPUB), Montreal, Canada
| | | | | | - In-Kyu Yoon
- International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea
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13
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Zhang S, Sammon PM, King I, Andrade AL, Toscano CM, Araujo SN, Sinha A, Madhi SA, Khandaker G, Yin JK, Booy R, Huda TM, Rahman QS, El Arifeen S, Gentile A, Giglio N, Bhuiyan MU, Sturm-Ramirez K, Gessner BD, Nadjib M, Carosone-Link PJ, Simões EA, Child JA, Ahmed I, Bhutta ZA, Soofi SB, Khan RJ, Campbell H, Nair H. Cost of management of severe pneumonia in young children: systematic analysis. J Glob Health 2018; 6:010408. [PMID: 27231544 PMCID: PMC4871066 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.06.010408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood pneumonia is a major cause of childhood illness and the second leading cause of child death globally. Understanding the costs associated with the management of childhood pneumonia is essential for resource allocation and priority setting for child health. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to identify studies reporting data on the cost of management of pneumonia in children younger than 5 years old. We collected unpublished cost data on non-severe, severe and very severe pneumonia through collaboration with an international working group. We extracted data on cost per episode, duration of hospital stay and unit cost of interventions for the management of pneumonia. The mean (95% confidence interval, CI) and median (interquartile range, IQR) treatment costs were estimated and reported where appropriate. RESULTS We identified 24 published studies eligible for inclusion and supplemented these with data from 10 unpublished studies. The 34 studies included in the cost analysis contained data on more than 95 000 children with pneumonia from both low- and-middle income countries (LMIC) and high-income countries (HIC) covering all 6 WHO regions. The total cost (per episode) for management of severe pneumonia was US$ 4.3 (95% CI 1.5-8.7), US$ 51.7 (95% CI 17.4-91.0) and US$ 242.7 (95% CI 153.6-341.4)-559.4 (95% CI 268.9-886.3) in community, out-patient facilities and different levels of hospital in-patient settings in LMIC. Direct medical cost for severe pneumonia in hospital inpatient settings was estimated to be 26.6%-115.8% of patients' monthly household income in LMIC. The mean direct non-medical cost and indirect cost for severe pneumonia management accounted for 0.5-31% of weekly household income. The mean length of stay (LOS) in hospital for children with severe pneumonia was 5.8 (IQR 5.3-6.4) and 7.7 (IQR 5.5-9.9) days in LMIC and HIC respectively for these children. CONCLUSION This is the most comprehensive review to date of cost data from studies on the management of childhood pneumonia and these data should be helpful for health services planning and priority setting by national programmes and international agencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Department of Preventive Dentistry, Peking University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, PR China
| | - Peter M Sammon
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Isobel King
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; NHS Grampian, UK
| | | | | | - Sheila N Araujo
- Department of Community Health, Federal University of Goias, Brazil; State University of Maranhăo, Brazil
| | - Anushua Sinha
- New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey USA
| | - Shabir A Madhi
- Medical Research Council, Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation, Vaccine Preventable Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gulam Khandaker
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jiehui Kevin Yin
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robert Booy
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, NSW, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tanvir M Huda
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh; School of Public Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Qazi S Rahman
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shams El Arifeen
- Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Angela Gentile
- Epidemiology Department, Ricardo Gutierrez Children Hospital, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Norberto Giglio
- Epidemiology Department, Ricardo Gutierrez Children Hospital, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Katharine Sturm-Ramirez
- Centre for Communicable Diseases, icddr,b, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Mardiati Nadjib
- Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Phyllis J Carosone-Link
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Eric Af Simões
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA; Center for Global Health and Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jason A Child
- Pharmacy Department, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Imran Ahmed
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zulfiqar A Bhutta
- Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sajid B Soofi
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rumana J Khan
- James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Harry Campbell
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Harish Nair
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; Public Health Foundation of India, New Delhi, India
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Purakayastha DR, Rai SK, Broor S, Krishnan A. Cost of Treatment of Febrile Acute Respiratory Infection (FARI) Among Under-Five Children Attending Health Facilities of Ballabgarh, Haryana. Indian J Pediatr 2017; 84:902-907. [PMID: 28831731 DOI: 10.1007/s12098-017-2420-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the expenditure incurred towards treatment of an episode of respiratory infection among under-fives in outpatient and inpatient departments of primary and secondary level health facilities. METHODS During March 2011 - September 2012, under-five children presenting with febrile acute respiratory infection (FARI) in the outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) departments of public and private health facilities of Ballabgarh, Haryana were enrolled in the study. Children who were free from co-morbidities and whose contact number or proper address were available, were enrolled and followed up over telephone or by house visits till recovery. Information was collected on expenditure incurred towards treatment of FARI. Work loss of each day was valued as per capita national income per day. Cost of service in public facilities were supplemented by WHO-CHOICE estimates. The cost of respiratory episode in different settings are expressed in median and inter quartile range (IQR). RESULTS One hundred fourteen children from OPD and 75 from IPD were enrolled and followed up till recovery. Among eligible children 40% and 20% in OPD and IPD were excluded respectively as they could not provide address or contact number. The median costs of an episode treated in OPD and IPD were INR 447(IQR: INR 294-669) and INR 7506.06 (IQR: INR 3765-10,406) respectively. CONCLUSIONS Respiratory infections are responsible for substantial economic burden, especially with huge proportion of out-of-pocket expenditure. Total cost of a respiratory episode that required hospitalization was 1.5 times the per capita monthly income of an Indian.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanjay Kumar Rai
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Shobha Broor
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Anand Krishnan
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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A multi-country study of the economic burden of dengue fever: Vietnam, Thailand, and Colombia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0006037. [PMID: 29084220 PMCID: PMC5679658 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Dengue fever is a major public health concern in many parts of the tropics and subtropics. The first dengue vaccine has already been licensed in six countries. Given the growing interests in the effective use of the vaccine, it is critical to understand the economic burden of dengue fever to guide decision-makers in setting health policy priorities. Methods/Principal findings A standardized cost-of-illness study was conducted in three dengue endemic countries: Vietnam, Thailand, and Colombia. In order to capture all costs during the entire period of illness, patients were tested with rapid diagnostic tests on the first day of their clinical visits, and multiple interviews were scheduled until the patients recovered from the current illness. Various cost items were collected such as direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs, and non-out-of-pocket costs. In addition, socio-economic factors affecting disease severity were also identified by adopting a logit model. We found that total cost per episode ranges from $141 to $385 for inpatient and from $40 to $158 outpatient, with Colombia having the highest and Thailand having the lowest. The percentage of the private economic burden of dengue fever was highest in the low-income group and lowest in the high-income group. The logit analyses showed that early treatment, higher education, and better knowledge of dengue disease would reduce the probability of developing more severe illness. Conclusions/Significance The cost of dengue fever is substantial in the three dengue endemic countries. Our study findings can be used to consider accelerated introduction of vaccines into the public and private sector programs and prioritize alternative health interventions among competing health problems. In addition, a community would be better off by propagating the socio-economic factors identified in this study, which may prevent its members from developing severe illness in the long run. Dengue fever has been prevalent in South-East Asia and South America. Despite the increase of dengue fever cases, there continues to be a lack of economic assessment partly due to the absence of vaccines until recent times. Many of the previous economic burden studies for dengue fever were not standardized, making them difficult to compare. We implemented the standardized economic burden survey for dengue fever in a multi-country setting: Vietnam, Thailand, and Colombia. We found that the economic burden of dengue fever is substantial in all three dengue endemic countries. Our study also identified socio-economic factors which are related to the probability of experiencing severe illness. The first live attenuated, tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV) has been already licensed in some dengue-endemic countries. As three countries will soon face decisions on whether and how to incorporate current and future vaccine candidates within their budget constraints, the updated economic burden estimates can be used to develop sustainable financing plans.
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Exposure to paternal tobacco smoking increased child hospitalization for lower respiratory infections but not for other diseases in Vietnam. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45481. [PMID: 28361961 PMCID: PMC5374438 DOI: 10.1038/srep45481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is an important modifiable risk factor for child hospitalization, although its contribution is not well documented in countries where ETS due to maternal tobacco smoking is negligible. We conducted a birth cohort study of 1999 neonates between May 2009 and May 2010 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, to evaluate paternal tobacco smoking as a risk factor for infectious and non-infectious diseases. Hospitalizations during a 24-month observation period were identified using hospital records. The effect of paternal exposure during pregnancy and infancy on infectious disease incidence was evaluated using Poisson regression models. In total, 35.6% of 1624 children who attended follow-up visits required at least one hospitalization by 2 years of age, and the most common reason for hospitalization was lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Paternal tobacco smoking independently increased the risk of LRTI 1.76-fold (95% CI: 1.24-2.51) after adjusting for possible confounders but was not associated with any other cause of hospitalization. The population attributable fraction indicated that effective interventions to prevent paternal smoking in the presence of children would reduce LRTI-related hospitalizations by 14.8% in this epidemiological setting.
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Memirie ST, Metaferia ZS, Norheim OF, Levin CE, Verguet S, Johansson KA. Household expenditures on pneumonia and diarrhoea treatment in Ethiopia: a facility-based study. BMJ Glob Health 2017; 2:e000166. [PMID: 28589003 PMCID: PMC5321393 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2016-000166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Revised: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Out-of-pocket (OOP) medical payments can lead to catastrophic health expenditure and impoverishment. We quantified household OOP expenditure for treatment of childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea and its impact on poverty for different socioeconomic groups in Ethiopia. Methods This study employs a mix of retrospective and prospective primary household data collection for direct medical and non-medical costs (2013 US$). Data from 345 pneumonia and 341 diarrhoea cases (0–59 months of age) were collected retrospectively through exit interviews from 35 purposively sampled health facilities in Ethiopia. Prospective 2-week follow-up interviews were conducted at the household level using a structured questionnaire. Results The mean total medical expenditures per outpatient visit were US$8 for pneumonia and US$6 for diarrhoea, while the mean for inpatient visits was US$64 for severe pneumonia and US$79 for severe diarrhoea. The mean associated direct non-medical costs (mainly transport costs) were US$2, US$2, US$13 and US$20 respectively. 7% and 6% of the households with a case of severe pneumonia and severe diarrhoea, respectively, were pushed below the extreme poverty threshold of purchasing power parity (PPP) US$1.25 per day. Wealthier and urban households had higher OOP payments, but poorer and rural households were more likely to be impoverished due to medical payments. Conclusions Households in Ethiopia incur considerable costs for the treatment of childhood diarrhoea and pneumonia with catastrophic consequences and impoverishment. The present circumstances call for revisiting the existing health financing strategy for high-priority services that places a substantial burden of payment on households at the point of care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ole F Norheim
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Carol E Levin
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Stéphane Verguet
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Peasah SK, Purakayastha DR, Koul PA, Dawood FS, Saha S, Amarchand R, Broor S, Rastogi V, Assad R, Kaul KA, Widdowson MA, Lal RB, Krishnan A. The cost of acute respiratory infections in Northern India: a multi-site study. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:330. [PMID: 25880910 PMCID: PMC4392863 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1685-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite the high mortality and morbidity resulting from acute respiratory infections (ARI) globally, there are few data from low-income countries on costs of ARI to inform public health policy decisions We conducted a prospective survey to assess costs of ARI episodes in selected primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities in north India where no respiratory pathogen vaccine is routinely recommended. Methods Face-to-face interviews were conducted among a purposive sample of patients with ARI from healthcare facilities. Data were collected on out-of-pocket costs of hospitalization, medical consultations, medications, diagnostics, transportation, lodging, and missed work days. Telephone surveys were conducted two weeks after medical encounters to ask about subsequent missed work and costs incurred. Costs of prescriptions and diagnostics in public facilities were supplemented with WHO-CHOICE estimates of hospital bed costs. Missed work days were assigned cost based on the national annual per capita income (US$1,104). Non-medically attended ARI cases were identified from an ongoing community-based ARI surveillance project in Faridabad. Results During September 2012-March 2013, 1766 patients with ARI were enrolled, including 451 hospitalized patients, 1056 outpatients, and 259 non-medically attended patients. The total direct cost of an ARI episode requiring outpatient care was US$4- $6 for public and $3-$10 for private institutions based on age groups. The total direct cost of an ARI episode requiring hospitalized care was $54-$120 in public and $135-$355 in private institutions. The cost of ARI among those hospitalized was highest among persons aged > = 65 years and lowest among children aged < 5 years. Indirect costs due to missed work days were 16-25% of total costs. The direct out-of-pocket cost of hospitalized ARI was 34% of annual per capita income. Conclusions The cost of hospitalized ARI episodes in India is high relative to median per capita income. Data from this study can inform evaluations of the cost effectiveness of proven ARI prevention strategies such as vaccination. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1685-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel K Peasah
- College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30341-4155, USA. .,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Debjani Ram Purakayastha
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
| | - Parvaiz A Koul
- Department of Internal and Pulmonary Medicine, Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, 190011, J&K, India.
| | | | - Siddhartha Saha
- Influenza Division, Centre for disease control and Prevention, US Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India.
| | - Ritvik Amarchand
- The INCLEN Trust, 2nd Floor, F-1/5, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi, 110020, India.
| | - Shobha Broor
- The INCLEN Trust, 2nd Floor, F-1/5, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi, 110020, India.
| | - Vaibhab Rastogi
- The INCLEN Trust, 2nd Floor, F-1/5, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-I, New Delhi, 110020, India.
| | - Romana Assad
- Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, Srinagar, 190011, J&K, India.
| | | | | | - Renu B Lal
- Influenza Division, Centre for disease control and Prevention, US Embassy, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, 110021, India.
| | - Anand Krishnan
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India.
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Akweongo P, Dalaba MA, Hayden MH, Awine T, Nyaaba GN, Anaseba D, Hodgson A, Forgor AA, Pandya R. The economic burden of meningitis to households in Kassena-Nankana district of Northern Ghana. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79880. [PMID: 24278203 PMCID: PMC3836898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the direct and indirect costs of meningitis to households in the Kassena-Nankana District of Ghana. METHODS A Cost of illness (COI) survey was conducted between 2010 and 2011. The COI was computed from a retrospective review of 80 meningitis cases answers to questions about direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs incurred and productivity losses due to recent meningitis incident. RESULTS The average direct and indirect costs of treating meningitis in the district was GH¢152.55 (US$101.7) per household. This is equivalent to about two months minimum wage earned by Ghanaians in unskilled paid jobs in 2009. Households lost 29 days of work per meningitis case and thus those in minimum wage paid jobs lost a monthly minimum wage of GH¢76.85 (US$51.23) due to the illness. Patients who were insured spent an average of GH¢38.5 (US$25.67) in direct medical costs whiles the uninsured patients spent as much as GH¢177.9 (US$118.6) per case. Patients with sequelae incurred additional costs of GH¢22.63 (US$15.08) per case. The least poor were more exposed to meningitis than the poorest. CONCLUSION Meningitis is a debilitating but preventable disease that affects people living in the Sahel and in poorer conditions. The cost of meningitis treatment may further lead to impoverishment for these households. Widespread mass vaccination will save households' an equivalent of GH¢175.18 (US$117) and impairment due to meningitis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maxwell A. Dalaba
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Mary H. Hayden
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Timothy Awine
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
| | | | - Dominic Anaseba
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Navrongo, Ghana
| | - Abraham Hodgson
- Research and Development Division, Ghana Health Service, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Rajul Pandya
- National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
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Griffiths UK, Clark A, Hajjeh R. Cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in low- and middle-income countries: regional analysis and assessment of major determinants. J Pediatr 2013; 163:S50-S59.e9. [PMID: 23773595 PMCID: PMC5749634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2013.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the cost-effectiveness of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccine in low- and middle-income countries and identify the model variables, which are most important for the result. STUDY DESIGN A static decision tree model was developed to predict incremental costs and health impacts. Estimates were generated for 4 country groups: countries eligible for funding by the GAVI Alliance in Africa and Asia, lower middle-income countries, and upper middle-income countries. Values, including disease incidence, case fatality rates, and treatment costs, were based on international country estimates and the scientific literature. RESULTS From the societal perspective, it is estimated that the probability of Hib conjugate vaccine cost saving is 34%-53% in Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization eligible African and Asian countries, respectively. In middle-income countries, costs per discounted disability adjusted life year averted are between US$37 and US$733. Variation in vaccine prices and risks of meningitis sequelae and mortality explain most of the difference in results. For all country groups, disease incidence cause the largest part of the uncertainty in the result. CONCLUSIONS Hib conjugate vaccine is cost saving or highly cost-effective in low- and middle-income settings. This conclusion is especially influenced by the recent decline in Hib conjugate vaccine prices and new data revealing the high costs of lost productivity associated with meningitis sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulla Kou Griffiths
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine London, United Kingdom.
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Kaljee LM, Anh DD, Minh TT, Huu Tho L, Batmunkh N, Kilgore PE. Rural and urban Vietnamese mothers utilization of healthcare resources for children under 6 years with pneumonia and associated symptoms. J Behav Med 2010; 34:254-67. [PMID: 21127959 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-010-9305-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, pneumonia causes 14% of deaths among children and infants (ages 4 weeks to 5 years). UNICEF and WHO have established treatment guidelines to reduce risk of death from pneumonia including caregiver symptom recognition, appropriate care, and use of antibiotics. In June 2008, cross-sectional survey data were collected in Khanh Hoa Province Viet Nam with 329 mothers of children under 6 years. In relation to pneumonia and associated symptoms (fever >38 °C, strong cough, "fast or difficult" breathing), data were collected on perceptions of symptom severity and child vulnerability, reported healthcare utilization including use of antibiotics, sources of health information, and barriers to care. Pearson's chi square, independent t tests, and multinomial analysis were conducted to assess different patterns of reported healthcare utilization in relation to residency (rural/urban), mother's education, and household income. Outcomes include rural and urban residency-based patterns related to perceptions of child's vulnerability and symptom severity, health facility utilization and barriers to care, and reported use of antibiotics during previous episodes of pneumonia. Implications include the need to target different healthcare facilities in urban and rural Viet Nam in relation to education about symptoms of childhood pneumonia and associated treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Kaljee
- Pediatric Prevention Research Center, The Carman and Ann Adams Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University, Hutzel Building, Suite W534, 4707 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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