Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: Costs of patient management for VL were estimated from a societal and household perspective by means of a questionnaire designed for this study, interviews and financial reports. RESULTS: The total cost of care per episode of VL from the societal perspective was estimated at US$355, equivalent to 58% of annual household income. The largest cost category was medical costs (55%), followed by indirect costs (36%) and non-medical costs (9%). The cost from the household perspective was equivalent to US$217. The largest cost category was indirect costs (59%), followed by medical costs (27%) and non-medical costs (15%). Loss of income because of illness and hospitalization and expenses for drugs were the largest cost components. CONCLUSIONS: The economic costs related to VL are substantial, both to society and the patient. Public health authorities in Bihar should focus on policies that detect VL in the early stage and implement interventions that minimize the burden to households affected by VL.
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Authors | Filip Meheus, Marleen Boelaert, Rob Baltussen, Shyam Sundar |
Journal | Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH
(Trop Med Int Health)
Vol. 11
Issue 11
Pg. 1715-24
(Nov 2006)
ISSN: 1360-2276 [Print] England |
PMID | 17054752
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Antiprotozoal Agents
- Drug Combinations
- Deoxycholic Acid
- Amphotericin B
- amphotericin B, deoxycholate drug combination
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amphotericin B
(therapeutic use)
- Antiprotozoal Agents
(economics, therapeutic use)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cost of Illness
- Deoxycholic Acid
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Combinations
- Female
- Health Care Costs
- Humans
- Income
- India
(epidemiology)
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral
(drug therapy, economics, epidemiology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Patient Acceptance of Health Care
- Socioeconomic Factors
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