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Philipo, Godfrey Sama

Introduction: Approximately 1.8 billion of children, majority being from low- and middle- income countries, lack access to safe and affordable surgical care. There is limited data on financial implication to families from seeking and receiving surgical care for their children. We aimed to assess the burden and factors associated with catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) and the risk of impoverishment among families of children receiving surgery in Tanzania. Methodology: This was a retrospective study. Demographics, clinical and financial data were collected from parents or caregivers of children undergoing surgery. CHE and the risk of impoverishment was calculated using the formula by Shrime et al. We used descriptive statistics, and compared the studies using chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis considering statistically significant results at p<0.05. CHE and risk of impoverishment was the primary and secondary outcomes respectively.Results The median total OOPE was US$ 66.3 (IQR: US$ 21.1 – US$181.2). The median OOPE from medical and nonmedical costs were $ 0 (IQR: US$ 0 – US$65.5) and US$6.0 (IQR: US$0.9 - US$21.4) respectively. The prevalence of families at risk of CHE was 46.1% (71/154). Marital status (p < 0.001), health insurance (p=0.02), electricity (p=0.01), referral status (p=0.001) use of private car to the referral center (p=0.04) and public transport (0.02) were found to be predictors of outcomes. Conclusion and Discussion: Seeking children surgical care is may push families into the risk of CHE and impoverishment resulting from OOPE. In addition to existing strategies, bringing care closer to the patient may be an effective intervention and may protect families from CHE and reduce risk of impoverishment.

Text

University of British Columbia. SURG 560

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0431428

Medicine, Faculty of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/