logo
Science Portal
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5145.produseast1
About MSF Science Portal
About
Contact Us
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Copyright © Médecins Sans Frontières
v2.1.5145.produseast1
Patients' costs associated with seeking and accessing treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa | Journal Article / Research | MSF Science Portal
Journal Article
|Research

Patients' costs associated with seeking and accessing treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis in South Africa

Ramma L, Cox HS, Wilkinson LS, Foster N, Cunnama L, Vassall A, Sinanovic E
Download

Similar Content
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Abstract
SETTING
South Africa is one of the world's 22 high tuberculosis (TB) burden countries, with the second highest number of notified rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases.

OBJECTIVE
To estimate patient costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of RR-TB/MDR-TB in South Africa.

DESIGN
Patients diagnosed with RR-TB/MDR-TB and accessing care at government health care facilities were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Direct and indirect costs associated with accessing RR-TB/MDR-TB care were estimated at different treatment durations for each patient.

RESULTS
A total of 134 patients were surveyed: 84 in the intensive phase and 50 in the continuation phase of treatment, 82 in-patients and 52 out-patients. The mean monthly patient costs associated with the diagnosis and treatment of RR-TB/MDR-TB were higher during the intensive phase than the continuation phase (US$235 vs. US$188) and among in-patients than among out-patients (US$269 vs. US$122). Patients in the continuation phase and those accessing care as out-patients reported higher out-of-pocket costs than other patients. Most patients did not access social protection for costs associated with RR-TB/MDR-TB illness.

CONCLUSION
Despite free health care, patients bear high costs when accessing diagnosis and treatment services for RR-TB/MDR-TB; appropriate social protection mechanisms should be provided to assist them in coping with these costs.

Countries

South Africa

Subject Area

antibiotic resistancetuberculosisantimicrobial resistance

Languages

English
DOI
10.5588/ijtld.15.0341
Published Date
01 Dec 2015
PubMed ID
26614194
Journal
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume | Issue | Pages
Volume 19, Issue 12, Pages 1513-1519
Issue Date
2015-12-01
Dimensions Badge