Household Economic Consequences of Rheumatic Heart Disease in Uganda

• DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.636280
• Publication Date: 2021-07-30T07:10:19Z
• Authors: Chinonso C. Opara; Yuxian Du; Yoshito Kawakatsu; Jenifer Atala; Andrea Z. Beaton; Rosemary Kansiime; Miriam Nakitto; Emma Ndagire; Haddy Nalubwama; Emmy Okello; David A. Watkins; Yanfang Su
• Keywords: Outpatient clinic; Cross-sectional study; Household income

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has declined dramatically in wealthier countries the past three decades, but it remains endemic many lower-resourced regions and can have significant costs to households. The objective of this study was quantify economic burden RHD among Ugandans affected by RHD. Methods: This a cross-sectional cost-of-illness that randomly sampled 87 participants their households from Uganda National registry between December 2018 February 2020. Using standardized survey instrument, we asked household members about outpatient inpatient financial coping mechanisms incurred over 12 months. We used descriptive statistics analyze levels distributions frequency strategies. Multivariate Poisson regression models were assess relationships socioeconomic characteristics utilization mechanisms. Results: Most young or women, demonstrating wide variation status. Outpatient primarily driven transportation, medications, laboratory tests, with overall direct indirect $78 per person-year. Between 20 35 percent experienced catastrophic healthcare expenditure, Northern Western Regions 5–10 times more likely experience such hardship utilize than counterparts Central Region, area. Increases total positively correlated increasing use behaviors. Conclusion: Ugandan RHD, particularly lower-income areas, incur out-of-pocket are very high relative income, exacerbating poverty trap. Universal health coverage policy reforms should include reduce eliminate expenditures for other chronic diseases.