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Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Analysis of hospitalization expenses of 610 HIV/AIDS patients in Nantong, China
Xun Zhuang1, Yujia Chen1,2, Zunyou Wu3
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Hospitalization costs for HIV/AIDS patients in China are significant, driven by length of stay and complications. Understanding these expenses is key to reducing the financial burden on patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Economics
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Analysis of healthcare expenses for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) management.
- Study conducted at Nantong Infectious Disease Hospital from October 2013 to June 2017.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and analyze the financial costs associated with HIV and AIDS care.
- To identify key factors influencing hospitalization expenses for HIV/AIDS patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 610 HIV/AIDS inpatients.
- Employed univariate and path analysis to assess factors affecting hospitalization costs.
Main Results:
- Average hospitalization expenses were 5454 RMB for HIV and 23,555 RMB for AIDS patients.
- Length of hospital stay was the primary driver of costs for both HIV and AIDS patients.
- Laboratory and drug fees constituted significant portions of expenses; female patients and those with more complications incurred higher costs.
Conclusions:
- Despite free antiretroviral therapy (ART), associated medical care, especially hospitalization, increases patient costs.
- Identifying cost-influencing factors is vital for developing strategies to alleviate the economic burden on HIV/AIDS patients in China.
Background:
The goal of this study was to describe the expenses related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) management and care in Nantong Infectious Disease Hospital from October 2013 through June 2017.
Methods:
The information of 610 HIV/AIDS inpatients were collected from the Electronic Medical Record System of the hospital. Univariate and path analysis were employed to evaluate the association between hospitalization expense and its related factors.
Results:
The average hospitalization expenses per person was 5454 RMB (Renminbi, the currency of China, about $808 USD) and 23,555 RMB (about $3489 USD), respectively for HIV/AIDS patients. The average length of hospital stay was 10.0 ± 5.5 days for HIV patients and 21.7 ± 12.4 days for AIDS patients. For HIV patients, laboratory test fees constituted 37.46% of total expenses; while drug fees accounted for the largest proportion for AIDS patients. Path analysis indicated that the length of hospital stay was the most important factor affecting total expenses (total path coefficient = 0.563 for HIV patients and 0.649 for AIDS patients). Total expenses for HIV-infected females was higher than that of males (total path coefficient = 0.217), and the more complications led to higher expenses for AIDS patients.
Conclusions:
Though antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided for free in China, associated medical care, particularly hospitalizations and fees, continue to drive up the medical costs of patients living with HIV and AIDS. Understanding the factors influencing these costs are crucial for determining policies and strategies that can reduce the economic burden of HIV/AIDS patients in China.
