Year: 2005
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: The economic burden of TB in India is enormous as TB perpetuates and exacerbates poverty. Revised National \nTuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) based on DOTS strategy is currently being implemented in India. The purpose \nof this study is to estimate the costs incurred by tuberculosis patients treated under RNTCP in a district in Tamilnadu where \nservices are decentralized for diagnosis and treatment. \nMethod: In all, 455 patients registered under RNTCP between June and December 2000, in Tiruvallur district were \ninterviewed to collect the following information: Demographic, socio-economic characteristics of patients, expenditure \nincurred due to illness and effect of illness on employment. Based on the data collected, various costs (direct medical, nonmedical, \nindirect and total costs incurred on account of tuberculosis before and during treatment) were estimated. In addition \nStandard of Living Index (SLI) was calculated for patients. \nResults: Of 455 patients, 62% had low SLI. The median direct, indirect and total costs for 343 patients who successfully \ncompleted treatment were as follows: pre treatment direct costs were Rs 340, during treatment direct costs Rs 100; more \nthan 50% of patients did not incur any indirect costs in both pre treatment and during treatment periods and overall total \ncosts were Rs 1398. About 12% of patients lost more than 60 workdays and after completing treatment, 88% returned to \nwork. \nConclusion: For patients registered under RNTCP in Tiruvallur district in Tamilnadu, the findings that the total patient \ncosts were Rs 1398/- and also the patients returned to work early establishes the economic benefits to patients treated under \nDOTS and lend support to rapid expansion of DOTS programme, particularly in low-income countries.
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W68196964