INTRODUCTION: Purchasing children's asthma medications places a burden on low-income families. The objective of this study was to explore how purchasing children's asthma medications influenced household purchasing behavior and quality of life in low-income families with no drug insurance. METHOD: Seventeen parents residing in the Greater Toronto Area with no drug plan and with household incomes below 45,000 US dollars (twice the U.S. poverty level) participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, emphasizing the topics of prescription drugs used and cost versus effectiveness; purchasing behavior and drug administration; effects of medication purchasing on the family; and payment assistance. Transcribed narratives were coded and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Annual expenditures for asthma drugs were 300 US dollars to 3000 US dollars. Because asthma management was a high priority, foregone expenditures included paying for other family members' health needs, essentials (clothing, food, better housing), and nonessentials (recreation, vacations) and long-term investments, such as their child's future education and their retirement. Respondents believed quality of life was negatively affected. DISCUSSION: Not addressing the health concerns of family members, making sacrifices, and modifying investment decisions created sustained anxiety in families of children with asthma. Access to medication benefits would have a positive impact on quality of life. Health care providers can help to ensure that low-income families receive available assistance.
INTRODUCTION: Purchasing children's asthma medications places a burden on low-income families. The objective of this study was to explore how purchasing children's asthma medications influenced household purchasing behavior and quality of life in low-income families with no drug insurance. METHOD: Seventeen parents residing in the Greater Toronto Area with no drug plan and with household incomes below 45,000 US dollars (twice the U.S. poverty level) participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, emphasizing the topics of prescription drugs used and cost versus effectiveness; purchasing behavior and drug administration; effects of medication purchasing on the family; and payment assistance. Transcribed narratives were coded and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Annual expenditures for asthma drugs were 300 US dollars to 3000 US dollars. Because asthma management was a high priority, foregone expenditures included paying for other family members' health needs, essentials (clothing, food, better housing), and nonessentials (recreation, vacations) and long-term investments, such as their child's future education and their retirement. Respondents believed quality of life was negatively affected. DISCUSSION: Not addressing the health concerns of family members, making sacrifices, and modifying investment decisions created sustained anxiety in families of children with asthma. Access to medication benefits would have a positive impact on quality of life. Health care providers can help to ensure that low-income families receive available assistance.
Authors: Pamela R Wood; Lauren A Smith; Diana Romero; Patrick Bradshaw; Paul H Wise; Wendy Chavkin Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2002-09 Impact factor: 9.308