Mohammad Omar Mashal1, Keiko Nakamura2, Masashi Kizuki3. 1. Department of Global Health Entrepreneurship, Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan. 2. Department of Global Health Entrepreneurship, Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Yushima 1-5-45, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan. nakamura.ith@tmd.ac.jp. 3. Department of Health Promotion, Division of Public Health, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the household payments required for medical and non-medical spending for inpatient health care and examine the pattern of household payments according to household economic status and the degree of remoteness of the area of residence. METHODS: The subjects were 5490 individuals included in a nationally representative survey in 2010. Their medical (diagnosis and medicine) and non-medical (accommodation and transportation) expenses for their most recent hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the richest group, the poorest group paid less for diagnosis and medicine (AOR = 0.37, P < 0.001; AOR = 0.78, P = 0.009, respectively), paid similar amounts for accommodation (AOR = 1.19, P = 0.164), and more for transportation (AOR = 2.09, P < 0.001). Residents in urban areas paid less than residents in rural areas for accommodation and transportation (AOR = 0.73, P < 0.001; AOR = 0.58, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Poor households paid less for diagnosis and medicine, but more for transportation related to inpatient care. Non-medical spending for inpatient care among the poor should be considered for affordable and accessible health-care utilization.
OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the household payments required for medical and non-medical spending for inpatient health care and examine the pattern of household payments according to household economic status and the degree of remoteness of the area of residence. METHODS: The subjects were 5490 individuals included in a nationally representative survey in 2010. Their medical (diagnosis and medicine) and non-medical (accommodation and transportation) expenses for their most recent hospitalization were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the richest group, the poorest group paid less for diagnosis and medicine (AOR = 0.37, P < 0.001; AOR = 0.78, P = 0.009, respectively), paid similar amounts for accommodation (AOR = 1.19, P = 0.164), and more for transportation (AOR = 2.09, P < 0.001). Residents in urban areas paid less than residents in rural areas for accommodation and transportation (AOR = 0.73, P < 0.001; AOR = 0.58, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Poor households paid less for diagnosis and medicine, but more for transportation related to inpatient care. Non-medical spending for inpatient care among the poor should be considered for affordable and accessible health-care utilization.
Keywords:
Afghanistan; Financial burden; Medical and non-medical payments; Poor
Authors: Linda A Bartlett; Shairose Mawji; Sara Whitehead; Chadd Crouse; Suraya Dalil; Denisa Ionete; Peter Salama Journal: Lancet Date: 2005 Mar 5-11 Impact factor: 79.321