Cout réel de la prise en charge des cancers du col de l'utérus en radiothérapie au Cameroun / The real cost of the management of cervical cancers by radiotherapy in Cameroon

Introduction. Le cancer du col utérin est le deuxième cancer de la femme au Cameroun. La radiothérapie reste une des modalités thérapeutiques phares dans la prise en charge de cette pathologie et l'État participe en y apportant une subvention. Toutefois, plusieurs patientes n'accèdent pas au traitement en raison des difficultés financières. Notre objectif était d'évaluer le coût réel de la prise en charge afin de servir de support aux politiques d'aide aux patientes. Méthodologie. Uneétude descriptive, transversale portant sur les patientes traitées en radiothérapie à l'Hôpital Général de Douala pour cancer du col de l'utérus a été réalisée d'octobre 2020 à janvier 2021.Résultats. Au total 35 dossiers de patientes ont été inclus. Lespatientes avaient de faibles revenus (<108.810 XAF /mois, 51,3%), étaient sans assurance maladie (88,6%), provenant en majorité des villes hors de Douala (54,3%), avec des cancers localement évolués. Le coût global moyen du traitement était de 511 264 XAF+/-103479 XAF (779,42 +/-157,75 euros) pour chaque patiente. La durée moyenne de traitement était de 57,34 jours, avec un nombre médian de 27 séances. Les frais supplémentaires pendant le traitement provenaient de la chimiothérapie, de la gestion des effets secondaires, notamment des transfusions sanguines, et du bilan de suivi. Plus de la moitié des patientes ont eu besoin d'une prise en charge supplémentaire par chimiothérapie ou chirurgie. Conclusion. La prise en charge du cancer du col utérin par radiothérapie est coûteuse et peu accessible à la majorité des patientes Camerounaises.

Introduction.Cervix cancer is the second cancer among women in Cameroon. Radiotherapy is often warranted in its management. Many patients do not access treatment due to financial difficulties. Our objective was to assess the real cost of care in order to support patient assistance policies. Methodology. A descriptive cross over study of women treated by radiotherapy at the Douala General Hospital from October 2020 to January 2021 was conducted. Results. A total number of 35 patient files were included in the study. Patients generally had low income (<108.810 XAF /month), without medical insurance, lived out of Douala, and were diagnosed at locally advanced stages of their disease. Average cost of treatment for radiotherapy alone was 511,264 XAF +/-103,479 XAF. Average duration of treatment was 57.34 days, with a median number of 27 sessions. Extra cost came from chemotherapy, management of side effects especially from blood transfusions, and imaging. More than half of the patients required additional expense for adjunct chemotherapy or surgery. Conclusion. The total cost of treatment for cervix cancer by radiotherapy is quite expensive, and not accessible to the average Cameroonian

Exploring cost drivers for improving disease management: the case of type 2 diabetes at a tertiary hospital in Burundi, Africa

Globally, the covid-19 pandemic has seriously impacted access to healthcare facilities across the world, although there is little evidence on how the pandemic affects the use of essential healthcare in the world. This study sought to evaluate the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on antenatal indicators in the region of Guelmim Oued Noun, Morocco using the interrupted time-series analysis. The aggregated data was delivered by regional health authorities covering the period from January 2017 to December 2020. The descriptive results revealed a steady decline after the Covid-19 pandemic in Antenatal indicators. The results of the regression model showed a negative impact of the pandemic on the antenatal recruitment rate (ß2 = - 16.14; p < 0.01), recruitment rate of women in antenatal visits the 1st quarter of pregnancy (ß2 = -2.09; p < 0.01), antenatal visit completion rate (ß2= -18.10, p>0.05), average number of visits/pregnancies (ß2 = -15.65, p<0,05). The effect of thecovid-19 pandemic on antenatal rates was significant for almost the indicators studied. Future studies should be focused on the impact of the pandemic on postnatal and immunization services on the national scale.

Aspects socio-économiques de la prise en charge des hépatites virales chroniques en Côte-d'Ivoire / Socio-economic aspects of the management of chronic viral hepatitis in Côte-d'Ivoire

Contexte et objectifs. Les hépatites virales chroniques constituent un problème de santé publique en Côte-d'Ivoire. Très peu de malades accèdent au traitement en raison des coûts élevés du bilan et du traitement. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'évaluer les coûts du bilan et du traitement des hépatites virales chroniques. Méthodes. Il s'agissait d'une étude observationnelle transversale analytique réalisée, du 1er mars 2019 au 31 juillet 2019, en consultation d'hépato-gastroentérologie du CHU de Yopougon. Les variables étudiées étaient les paramètres sociodémographiques et économiques. Résultats. Au total, 136 patients (hommes 53, 6 %, âge moyen de 42 ans ± 12,2) ont été inclus. Plus de la moitié des patients (63,3 %) avaient un revenu mensuel n'excédant pas 490.39 USD. Le coût du bilan initial était de 223.13 USD et de 351.14 USD respectivement, pour l'hépatite virale B et C. Le ténofovir et l'interféron pégylé étaient gratuits. Le traitement par sofosbuvir + velpastavir coûtait 593.37 USD. Le bilan de suivi annuel était estimé à 237.02 USD pour l'hépatite virale B, 225.58 USD pour l'hépatite virale C. Conclusion. Le bilan et le traitement des hépatites virales chroniques ont un coût prohibitif pour les patients malgré la couverture maladie universelle.

Context and objectives. Chronic viral hepatitis is a public health problem in Côte-d'Ivoire. A significant number of patients have little access to treatment due to the high costs of assessment and treatment. The objective of our study was to evaluate the costs of assessments and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Methods. This was an analytical cross-sectional observational study from March 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019 in the HepatoGastroenterology Consultation Service at the Yopougon University Hospital. The variables studied were socio-demographic and economic parameters. Results. 136 patients (men 53.6 %, average age 42 ± 12.2 years) were included. More than half of the patients (63.3 %) had a monthly income not exceeding 490.39 USD. The cost of the initial assessment was 223.13 USD and 351.14 USD for viral hepatitis B and C, respectively. Tenofovir and pegylated interferon were free of charge. Treatment with sofosbuvir + velpastavir cost 593.37 USD. The annual follow-up assessment was estimated at 237.02 USD for viral hepatitis B and 225.58 USD for viral hepatitis C. Conclusion. The assessment and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis have a cost that remains high for patients despite the universal health coverage.

Drivers of cost of treatment for traumatic spinal cord injury in ibadan, Nigeria

Background:Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) is a costly condition in human and economic terms. Yet, studies on direct cost of treatment for TSCI in resource-constraint countries are sparse.Objective:To estimate the direct cost of treatment for patients with TSCI at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria using an incidence-based costing approache Methods:All new cases of TSCI admitted in the hospital from January, 2009 to December, 2013 were identified and reviewed. Direct costs of in-patient and out-patient treatments over the first year of injury were estimated.Results:114 individuals with TSCI (73 males; 41 females) were admitted and discharged home alive from the hospital. The largest cost driver to the patients and the National Health Insurance Scheme was cost of consultations by neurosurgeons which constituted about a third (34.4%) of the total costs of treatment. Less than a fourth (24.2%) of the total cost of in-patient treatment was spent on therapeutic interventions (surgery, drugs and physiotherapy). There was a significant relationship between the direct cost of treatment and each of the severity of traumatic spinal cord injury and length of hospital stay (p = 0.01). Level of injury was not significantly associated with direct cost of treatment (p=0.89).Conclusion:Direct cost of treatment for individuals with TSCI in Ibadan, Nigeria is substantial. This high cost underscores the need for novel service models with potential for minimizing cost for patients with TSCI in Nigeria

Drépanocytose en République Démocratique du Congo : l'hydroxyurée est peu disponible et rarement accessible pour les patients

Contexte et objectifs. L'hydroxyurée est connu efficace dans la prise en charge des crises drépanocytaires. L'objectif de la présente étude était d'établir la disponibilité et d'évaluer le cout moyen de ce médicament en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Méthodes. Une étude transversale descriptive a été réalisée dans 188 pharmacies de deux villes (une grande, Lubumbashi versus une enclavée, Mbuji Mayi en RDC, entre les 1er avril et 1er septembre 2017. Seules des questions fermées ont été posées, avec des choix soit dichotomiques soit multiples. Résultats. L'hydroxyurée n'était disponible que dans 22% des pharmacies participantes (41/188) et beaucoup plus fréquemment dans celles d'une grande ville que dans celles d'une ville reculée (34/96 contre 7/92). La plupart des patients ont présenté une ordonnance médicale (36/41 soit 88% d'entre eux) pour obtenir le médicament. Le prix de l'hydroxyurée variait entre 10 et 35 $, avec un prix moyen de 15 $ pour une boîte de 25 gélules. Ce prix est onéreux pour le pouvoir d'achat de la majorité des patients drépanocytaires. Conclusions. Cette étude montre que l'hydroxyurée est à la fois peu disponible dans les pharmacies en RDC et peu accessible financièrement pour beaucoup de patients drépanocytaires

Tuberculosis out-of-pocket expenditure study Lesotho: Final study report

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Factors influencing health seeking behaviour among residents of Basawa community, Sabon Gari l.G.A. Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: The health of the citizenry is crucial to the growth and development of any nation. Nigeria is riddled with poor health indices ranging from maternal mortality to infant mortality rates. It has been established that health-seeking behaviour has a strong influence on health status, morbidity and mortality indices of a society. It also drives utilisation of health services and is affected by predisposing, enabling and need factors. This study assessed the factors influencing health-seeking behaviour among residents of Basawa community, Sabon Gari LGA, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in September 2017 among 125 residents of Basawa community selected by systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using asemi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed with SPSS version 21. The results were presented as tables and charts among others. Level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 42±10 years. Majority of the respondents were male (60.8%) and married (90.4%). About two-thirds of the respondents delayed for more than 24 hours before seeking healthcare. Long waiting time (55.2%), the attitude of health workers (22.4%) and the high cost of drugs (22.4%) were given as barriers to health care utilisation. High cost of services, type and severity of illness and attitude of health care workers are the main determinants of health-seeking behaviour. There was a statistically significant relationship between education, monthly income and delay in seeking health care. Conclusion: The study showed several factors that influence health care seeking behaviour. In view of the multifactorial determinants of health-care seeking behaviour, there is need for health workers to be trained and retrained to improve on their attitude, and the provision of community-based social health insurance scheme by the government among others

Costs incurred by caregivers of under-five inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia at a university hospital in south-western Ethiopia

Background: Pneumonia is one of the commonest diseases among children in Ethiopia resulting in deaths and hospitalisations. The objective of the current study was to determine the cost incurred by caregivers of under-five children with community-acquired pneumonia admitted to the paediatric ward of Jimma University Specialized Hospital, south-western Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 01 January to 28 February 2017, through interviews with caregivers. Data on costs incurred before hospital visit, direct medical and non-medical costs, and indirect costs incurred by caregivers of the children were collected. The collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.Results: Among the 120 caregivers in the study, a median total cost of 304.5 Ethiopian birr (13.22 USD) was reported. This was mostly contributed by indirect costs associated with earnings lost by caregivers related to travel and stay at hospital with the children. Factors, including permanent residence, family size, hospital stay, wealth index, education and major occupation, were found to have statistically significant association with the level of cost incurred by caregivers.Conclusion: This study identified that a significant level of cost is incurred by caregivers of the children in the hospital, a majority of which was contributed by the lost earnings because of the time spent at the hospital with the children

Coûts médicaux des accouchements et des césariennes au Burkina Faso: une évaluation nationale

Dans le cadre des politiques publiques d'accès aux soins de santé maternelle, les centres de santé offrent des prestations aux populations et sont ensuite remboursés par l'État sans qu'on sache ce que représentent ces coûts. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de déterminer les coûts réels des accouchements au Burkina Faso. C'est une enquête transversale conduite entre juin et août 2014 dans tous les hôpitaux, centres médicaux et deux centres de santé de base par commune. Les coûts médicaux réels incluaient l'acte, les médicaments et consommables, les examens paracliniques et l'hospitalisation. Au total 949 femmes de 544 centres de santé publics ont été analysées. L'échantillon comprenait 579 accouchements eutociques, 202 dystociques et 168 césariennes. Au niveau national, le coût médical réel moyen était de 3 180 (±1 255), 13 305 (± 6 865) et 55 830 (±14 800) FCFA respectivement pour un accouchement eutocique, dystocique et une césarienne. Quel que soit le type d'accouchement, les médicaments et consommables représentaient plus de la moitié des coûts. Le coût médical moyen variait selon la région sanitaire, le type d'accouchement et le type de formation sanitaire (p<0,001). Ces résultats suggèrent qu'un remboursement forfaitaire, selon le type de prestation, doit tenir compte du niveau de soins

La greffe rénale dans l'Afrique sub-saharienne : une réalité à développer

De nombreux pays africains se sont équipés pour prendre en charge l'insuffisance rénale chronique terminale (IRCT) en créant des unités de dialyse rénale. Or, la dialyse coûte plus cher que la greffe rénale. Le but de cet article est de faire un état des lieux de la prise en charge de l'IRCT en Afrique sub-saharienne et de discuter des conditions du développement des programmes de greffes rénales dans cette partie du monde

Financial Barriers to Utilization of Screening and Treatment Services for Breast Cancer: An Equity Analysis in Nigeria

Aim: To determine financial barriers that impede the utilization of screening and treatment services for breast cancer among Nigerian women from different socioeconomic groups. Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out in 2013 among women attending the oncology clinic of a tertiary institution in Enugu; Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected from 270 women using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The links between the influence of socioeconomic factors on barriers to the utilization of breast cancer screening and treatment services were examined. Results: A total of 270 women were studied. The mean age was 34.69 (Standard deviation = 5.07) years. Half of the study participants were single 141 (51.3); while 105 (38.2) were married. Cost of medical treatment and not having insurance coverage was major financial barriers to utilization of screening and treatment services. The least poor and poor socioeconomic status (SES) groups utilized screening services and treatment more frequently than the very poor and poorest SES groups ( P = 0.034). There was no significant difference in the utilization of the different treatment options among the different socioeconomic groups with the exception of surgery (?2 = 11.397; P = 0.000). Conclusion: Financial barriers limit the ability of women; especially the poorest SES group; to utilize screening and treatment services for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Interventions that will improve financial risk protection for women with breast cancer or at risk of breast cancer are needed to ensure equitable access to screening and treatment services

Fate of Outstanding COIDA Occupational Disease Claims Following Closure of the Western Cape Provincial Medical Advisory Panel in 2008 : An audit

Background and objectives: The Western Cape Provincial Medical Advisory Panel (PMAP) was established in 2004 in terms of Section 70(1) of COIDA. A primary function was to improve the efficiency of medical assessment of occupational disease claims. The PMAP was closed by the Compensation Commissioner in 2008. This audit aimed to determine the fate of claims outstanding at the time of closure. Methods: A total of 68 claims outstanding in April 2008 were followed up by telephone; email and/or internet to determine what proportion had progressed or; if accepted; had resulted in a permanent disablement compensation payment. Results: Of the 68 claims; 31 (44) were confirmed as having progressed. Of these; payment of permanent disablement awards could be confirmed in only 15 claims (22). The remaining 56 either showed no progress or no longer had a record in the COIDA system. Those stages of the claims process that had previously been aided by PMAP functioning had deteriorated in efficiency. Conclusions: Overall; the low proportion of outstanding claims finalised and awarded is consistent with inefficiency in claims handling of occupational disease; a finding echoed by recent complaints about general Compensation Fund performance from both healthcare providers and parliamentary investigation

Factors Affecting Utilization of University Health Services in a Tertiary Institution in South-West Nigeria

Background: Most university health services have extensive health infrastructures; for the provision of effective and efficient health services to the students. In this study; we have tried to determine student's perception of factors affecting their utilization.Objective: To determine students' perception of health care services provided in a tertiary institution and assess students' attitude towards utilization.Materials and Methods: Simple random sampling technique was used to select 540 respondents; comprising of 390 males and 150 females. A structured and self-administered questionnaire was the instrument used to collect data for the study; while data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency count and percentage.Results: High cost of drugs (72.0); non availability of essential drugs (54.8); time spent waiting for treatment (67.2); inadequate referral services (81.7); and satisfaction with services (60.6) were considered by the respondents as factors affecting the utilization of university health services. Students-medical staff relationship and accessibility to health facility (77.6 and 74.3 respectively) were; however; not considered as factors that affect utilization of university health services.Conclusion: It is recommended that to improve utilization and cost of care; government should make necessary efforts to incorporate tertiary institution into National Health Insurance scheme so that students above the age of 18 years can benefit from free treatment

Outcome of non-operative management of femoral shaft fractures in children

Background: Femoral shaft fractures are common injuries in childhood. There is paucity of information on their presentation and outcome of the available treatment methods in the African population. This study evaluated the outcome of non-operative methods of treatment of femoral shaft fractures in our centre. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of the database of children aged 14 years and below with femoral shaft fractures treated non-operatively over a 10-year period. Results: A total of 134 patients with 138 fractures met the study criteria. This consisted of 71 boys (mean age = 6.1 years ± SD) and 63 girls (mean age = 6.5 years ± SD). Pedestrian vehicular accident was the most common cause of femoral shaft fractures in the study population. The midshaft was the most common site of fractures. There were associated injuries to other parts of the body (especially head injury) in 34.3% of the patients. The commonest mode of treatment was skin traction only (87.7%). The mean time to fracture union was 4.9 weeks ± SD (range = 3-15 weeks). The mean length of hospitalisation was 6.7 weeks ± SD (range = 5 days-11 weeks). There was a fairly strong positive correlation between the length of hospitalisation and the presence of associated injuries, especially head injury, upper limb fractures and bilaterality of the fractures. The mean total cost of treatment was #7685 (Naira) or $51.2 (range = $14.2-$190). At the last follow up, 97.8% of the fractures united without significant angulation or shortening. Conclusion: The outcome of non-operative treatment of femoral shaft fractures in our setting is comparable to the results of other workers. Methods of treatment that shorten the length of hospitalisation without unduly increasing cost should be encouraged

Barriers to Cataract Surgical Uptake in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Background: The Upper East Region has one of the highest cataract surgical rates in Ghana. Notwithstanding this; cataract blindness is still a major problem. Aim: To determine patient-related barriers to cataract services in the region and their resolution. Methods: Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Indepth interviews were used to explore the opinions of 66 cataract patients resident in the region between July and August 2003. Purposeful sampling was used in selecting 24 patients in the hospital while a Snowball sampling method was employed on 42 respondents resident in the village communities Results: Average age of the respondents was 67.6 years with equal proportions of males and females (0.9:1). Twelve and fifteen percent of respondents respectively cited fear and lack of escort as barriers to service up-take while 8and 9pointed to sociocultural beliefs and the fact that they were able to cope satisfactorily with their disability. Only 1.5of respondents gave lack of awareness as a barrier with none citing geographical barrier as a problem. Cost of surgery; however; stood out clearly as a very significant barrier with 91of respondents attesting to it. Conclusion: It is concluded that further expansion of outreach services; coupled with a more intensive health education is needed to overcome these barriers

Aide à la décision thérapeutique et pharmaco-économique dans les stratégies antirétrovirales des pays à ressources limitées : approche méthodologique par modélisation

Afin d'améliorer l'accès aux antirétroviraux dans les pays à ressources limitées, l'OMS recommande des schémas thérapeutiques simplifiés pour permettre une mise en œuvre efficace des programmes de traitement dans ces pays tout en limitant les dépenses. Cependant le choix de l'un de ces schémas thérapeutiques devrait intervenir au niveau national. L'étude est une modélisation de l'aide à la décision thérapeutique et pharmaco-économique basée sur le logiciel-modèle Puzzle du Laboratoire d'Analyse des Systèmes de Santé de Lyon (France). Notre objectif principal est d'établir une classification préférentielle de ces trithérapies en fonction du paramètre coût-efficacité dans la prise en charge du VIH/SIDA dans ces pays. Les différentes options de trithérapies ont été groupées en plusieurs stratégies thérapeutiques selon les critères suivants: âge du patient, type de VIH, co-infection VIH/tuberculose, grossesse ou risque de grossesse, type de toxicité et substitution, échec thérapeutique. Nous avons retenu sept principaux critères de comparaison entre les différentes trithérapies. Ces critères sont inspirés des recommandations de l'OMS pour un choix efficient. Il s'agit de : l'efficacité, la toxicité, la surveillance biologique de la tolérance, la facilité ou la complexité de la prise quotidienne, l'effet repas, la chaîne de froid, le coût du traitement journalier de la trithérapie. Ces critères ont un lien direct ou indirect avec les résultats thérapeutiques et le coût global de la prise en charge médicamenteuse du VIH/SIDA. Les résultats fournis par le logiciel se présentent sous forme d'échelle coût-efficacité évoluant de la trithérapie la moins coût/efficace à la trithérapie la plus coût-efficace dans une stratégie thérapeutique donnée