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Direct and Indirect Costs of Pediatric Gastroenteritis in Vellore, India
Joby Jacob1, Tej K Joseph, Rajan Srinivasan
1Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, and *Department of Child Health; Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Correspondence to: Dr Gagandeep Kang, Division of Gastrointestinal Sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, TN 632 004, India. gkang@cmcvellore.ac.in.
Insights
Pediatric gastroenteritis incurs significant costs for families, with hospitalization being substantially more expensive than outpatient care. These costs represent a notable portion of household income, highlighting the economic burden of childhood illness.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Health Economics
Background:
- Gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness with significant economic implications.
- Understanding the cost burden is crucial for healthcare planning and intervention evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the direct and indirect costs associated with pediatric gastroenteritis in both outpatient and inpatient settings.
- To analyze the economic impact of gastroenteritis on families in India.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among children with acute gastroenteritis.
- Data was collected from 30 out-patient cases and 30 hospitalized cases at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
- Costs included direct (medications, tests, consultations, hospitalization) and indirect (travel, food, lost wages).
Main Results:
- Median direct costs were Rs 590 (out-patient) and Rs 7258 (in-patient).
- Median indirect costs were Rs 190 (out-patient) and Rs 610 (in-patient).
- Hospitalization costs represented 11% of median annual household income, compared to 1.1% for outpatient management.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric gastroenteritis imposes a substantial financial burden on households.
- Healthcare costs associated with gastroenteritis require ongoing monitoring for effective intervention assessment.
Objective:
To determine costs of pediatric gastroenteritis in out-patient and in-patient facilities.
Methods:
Cross-sectional survey of children with acute gastroenteritis attending out-patient clinic (n=30) or admitted in the ward (n=30) for management in the Christian Medical College, Vellore, India from July-September 2014 to estimate direct (drugs, tests, consultation/hospitalization) and indirect (travel, food, lost wages) costs associated with the episode.
Results:
Median direct and indirect costs were Rs 590 and Rs 190 for out-patient management and Rs 7258 and Rs. 610 for hospitalization, constituting 1.1% and 11% of median annual household income, respectively.
Conclusions:
Escalating healthcare costs need tracking for evaluation of interventions.
