Expenditure to Treat Thalassemia- A Major Financial Burden

Tanuka Barua, Kawsar Sultana, Dazy Barua, Rifat Karnain, Showrov Barua Chowdhury and Mahmood A. Chowdhury Arzu

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 2022, vol. 4, issue 5, 52-56

Abstract: Background: Thalassemia is the most common inherited blood disorder that represents a major public concern. The medical and economic burden of thalassemia is a great health problem worldwide. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Chattogram Maa Shishu-O-General Hospital, Chattogram from July 2013 to June 2014. 70 thalassemia patients aged 2-18 years with history of blood transfusion for at least one year and previously treated with iron chelating drugs were included. Parents were interviewed according to a formulated questionnaire based on a cost model. Data was analyzed both manually as well as using SPSS version 18. Results: Mean annual income of family was 262,000 taka/year ± 245,477.35 (USD 3324.87 ± 3115.19). Total annual cost for blood transfusion ranged between 5,100 to 32,400 taka/year (USD 64.72 to USD 411.17) varying on frequency of transfusion. On an average 6.91% (± 5.10) of annual income was spent for blood transfusion and it accounted for 65.99% (± 29.20) of total annual cost. Iron chelation therapy contributed to 45.94% (± 23.03) of total annual cost and it was 8% (± 9.94) of annual income of parents. Average annual cost was 24,037 taka/year ± 20,607.59 (USD 305.04 ± 261.52 per year) and average 13.22% (± 10.54) of annual income of parents was spent for treatment of a thalassemia child. Conclusion: Treatment of thalassemia exposes families to a great financial burden. Hence it is essential for the Government to provide financial support and subsidize costs of medication along with taking necessary steps to prevent the disease.

Keywords: Annual cost; annual income; thalassemia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:epw:ejmed0:v:4:y:2022:i:5:id:41454

DOI: 10.24018/ejmed.2022.4.5.1454

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