Cost analysis of hospitalized malaria patients in Taikkyi Township

ABSTRACT

A hospital-based study was conducted in Taikkyi Township to elicit the various types of cost incurred and factors influencing these costs. data were obtained from malaria cases of different severity admitted to two hospitals from July to October, 1995. All study subjects were interviewed by using a pretested standardized questionnaire. the total costs of illness per patient for one episode of malaria were estimated as kyats 2582 for uncomplicated malaria case, kyats 4568 for other severe and complicated malaria case and kyats 4758 for malaria with other disease case. In the cost before and during hospitalization, direct cost was more than indirect cost. Cost for income lost and drug cost were the highest. Multivariate analysis revealed that days of illness and days of absence from work before hospitalization, malaria parasite density status, income lost of patient and total attendant's cost before hospitalization, family income, distance between home and hospital and days of actual illness were important determinants for various types of cost incurred for hospitalized malaria patients. This study will focus on the need for large-scale similar studies in the country in future.