Tembei etal. 2018_Econmic cost of podo in Cameroon .pdf (311.28 kB)
A Comparative analysis of economic cost of podoconiosos and leprosy on affected households in Northwest region of Cameroon
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 12:31 authored by Ayok M Tembei, Jonas A Kengne Ouaffo, Elvis A Ngoh, Bonekeh John, Theobald M Nji, Kebede Kassaye, Peter Enyong, Theresa Nkuo-Akenji, Gail DaveyGail Davey, Samuel WanjiLeprosy and podoconiosis (podo) are neglected tropical diseases that cause severe disfigurement and disability, and may lead to catastrophic health expenditure and hinder economic development of affected persons and households. This study compared economic costs of both diseases on affected households with unaffected neighboring households in the Northwest Region (N.W.R.) of Cameroon. A matched comparative cross-sectional design was used enrolling 170 households (43 podo case households, 41 podo control households, 43 leprosy case households, and 43 leprosy control households) from three health districts in the N.W.R. Direct treatment costs for podo averaged 142 United State dollar (USD), compared with zero for leprosy (P < 0.001). This was also reflected in the proportion of annual household income consumed (0.4 versus 0.0, respectively, P < 0.001). Both diseases caused considerable reductions in working days (leprosy 115 versus podo 135 days. P for comparison < 0.001). The average household income was considerably lower in podo-affected households than unaffected households (410 versus 913 USD, P = 0.01), whereas income of leprosy-affected households was comparable to unaffected households (329 versus 399 USD, P = 0.23). Both leprosy and podo cause financial burdens on affected households, but those on podo-affected families are much greater. These burdens occur through direct treatment costs and reduced ability to work. Improved access to public health interventions for podo including prevention, morbidity management and disability prevention are likely to result in economic returns to affected families. In Cameroon, one approach to this would be through subsidized health insurance for these economically vulnerable households.
Funding
wellcome trust
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and HygieneISSN
0002-9637Publisher
American Society of Tropical Medicine and HygieneExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
98Page range
1075-1081Department affiliated with
- Global Health and Infection Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Wellcome Trust Brighton and Sussex Centre for Global Health Research Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2018-03-20First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-03-20First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2018-03-19Usage metrics
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