BACKGROUND: The economic burden of Buruli ulcer for patients has not been well-documented. This study assessed the costs of Buruli ulcer care to patients from the onset of illness to diagnosis and to the end of treatment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cost of illness study conducted among patients with Buruli ulcer in four States in Nigeria between July and September 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the patients' characteristics, household income and out-of-pocket costs of care. RESULTS: Of 92 patients surveyed, 54 (59%) were older than 15years, 49 (53%) were males, and 86 (93%) resided in a rural area. The median (IQR) direct medical and non-medical cost per patient was US$124 (50-282) and US$3 (3-6); corresponding to 149% and 4% of the patients' median monthly household income, respectively. The overall direct costs per patient was US$135 (58-327), which corresponded to 162% of median monthly household income, with pre-diagnosis costs accounting for 94.8% of the total costs. The direct costs of Buruli ulcer care were catastrophic for 50% of all patients/households - the rates of catastrophic costs for Buruli ulcer care was 66% and 19% for patients belonging to the lowest and highest income quartiles, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Direct costs of Buruli ulcer diagnosis and treatment are catastrophic to a substantial proportion of patients and their families.
BACKGROUND: The economic burden of Buruli ulcer for patients has not been well-documented. This study assessed the costs of Buruli ulcer care to patients from the onset of illness to diagnosis and to the end of treatment. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cost of illness study conducted among patients with Buruli ulcer in four States in Nigeria between July and September 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the patients' characteristics, household income and out-of-pocket costs of care. RESULTS: Of 92 patients surveyed, 54 (59%) were older than 15years, 49 (53%) were males, and 86 (93%) resided in a rural area. The median (IQR) direct medical and non-medical cost per patient was US$124 (50-282) and US$3 (3-6); corresponding to 149% and 4% of the patients' median monthly household income, respectively. The overall direct costs per patient was US$135 (58-327), which corresponded to 162% of median monthly household income, with pre-diagnosis costs accounting for 94.8% of the total costs. The direct costs of Buruli ulcer care were catastrophic for 50% of all patients/households - the rates of catastrophic costs for Buruli ulcer care was 66% and 19% for patients belonging to the lowest and highest income quartiles, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Direct costs of Buruli ulcer diagnosis and treatment are catastrophic to a substantial proportion of patients and their families.
Authors: Hope Simpson; Earnest Njih Tabah; Richard O Phillips; Michael Frimpong; Issaka Maman; Edwin Ampadu; Joseph Timothy; Paul Saunderson; Rachel L Pullan; Jorge Cano Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2021-03-03
Authors: Mathieu Bangert; David H Molyneux; Steve W Lindsay; Christopher Fitzpatrick; Dirk Engels Journal: Infect Dis Poverty Date: 2017-04-04 Impact factor: 4.520
Authors: Charles Chukwunalu Nwafor; Anthony Meka; Joseph Ngozi Chukwu; Ngozi Ekeke; Chukwuka Alphonsus; Obinna Mbah; Nelson Okechukwu Madichie; Ufuoma Aduh; Matthew Ogbeifo; Bola Olubakin IseOluwa-Adelokiki; Joseph Ezebunafor Edochie; Joseph Ushaka; Kingsley Nnanna Ukwaja Journal: Afr Health Sci Date: 2019-06 Impact factor: 0.927
Authors: Julie Jemutai; Ifedayo M Adetifa; Aishatu Lawal Adamu; Boniface Karia; Musa M Bello; Mahmoud G Jahun; Safiya Gambo; John Ojal; Anthony Scott Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2022-01