OBJECTIVE: To assess the out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for health-care services of HIV/AIDS patients, and identify associated factors in Vietnam. METHODS: Cross-sectional multisite survey of 1016 HIV/AIDS patients attending 7 hospitals and health centres in Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City in 2012. RESULTS: HIV/AIDS patients used inpatient and outpatient care on average 5.1 times (95% CI = 4.7-5.4) besides ART services. Inpatient care cost US$ 461 on average and outpatient care US$ 50. Mean annual health-care expenditure for HIV/AIDS patients was US$ 188 (95% CI = 148-229). 35.1% of households (95% CI = 32.2-38.1) experienced catastrophic health expenditure; 73.3% (95% CI = 70.6-76.1) of households would be affected if ART were not subsidised. Being a patient at a provincial clinic, male sex, unstable employment, being in the poorest income quintile, a CD4 count of <200 cells/mL and not yet receiving ART increased the likelihood of catastrophic medical expense. CONCLUSIONS: HIV/AIDS patients in Vietnam frequently use medical services and incur OOP payments for health care. Scaling up free-of-charge ART services, earlier access to and initiation of ART, and decentralisation and integration of HIV/AIDS-related services could reduce their financial burden.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the out-of-pocket (OOP) payments for health-care services of HIV/AIDSpatients, and identify associated factors in Vietnam. METHODS: Cross-sectional multisite survey of 1016 HIV/AIDSpatients attending 7 hospitals and health centres in Ha Noi, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City in 2012. RESULTS:HIV/AIDSpatients used inpatient and outpatient care on average 5.1 times (95% CI = 4.7-5.4) besides ART services. Inpatient care cost US$ 461 on average and outpatient care US$ 50. Mean annual health-care expenditure for HIV/AIDSpatients was US$ 188 (95% CI = 148-229). 35.1% of households (95% CI = 32.2-38.1) experienced catastrophic health expenditure; 73.3% (95% CI = 70.6-76.1) of households would be affected if ART were not subsidised. Being a patient at a provincial clinic, male sex, unstable employment, being in the poorest income quintile, a CD4 count of <200 cells/mL and not yet receiving ART increased the likelihood of catastrophic medical expense. CONCLUSIONS:HIV/AIDSpatients in Vietnam frequently use medical services and incur OOP payments for health care. Scaling up free-of-charge ART services, earlier access to and initiation of ART, and decentralisation and integration of HIV/AIDS-related services could reduce their financial burden.
Authors: Bach Xuan Tran; Long Thanh Nguyen; Nga Hoang Nguyen; Quynh Van Hoang; Jongnam Hwang Journal: Glob Health Action Date: 2013-03-15 Impact factor: 2.640
Authors: Bach Xuan Tran; Long Hoang Nguyen; Lan Phuong Nguyen; Cuong Tat Nguyen; Huong Thi Thu Phan; Carl A Latkin Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-04-05 Impact factor: 3.240