Diarrhea Associated Costs among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age from Health Care Provider and Social Perspectives in Albania

Authors

  • Albana Ahmeti Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Systems, St. Aleksander Moisiu Nr. 80, 1000 Tirana
  • Artan Simaku Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Systems, St. Aleksander Moisiu Nr. 80, 1000 Tirana
  • Iria Preza Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Systems, St. Aleksander Moisiu Nr. 80, 1000 Tirana
  • Silva Bino Institute of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Systems, St. Aleksander Moisiu Nr. 80, 1000 Tirana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2013.023

Keywords:

Albania, Diarrhea, Health Care Costs, Primary Care, Social Costs.

Abstract

Background: Diarrheal diseases count for a considerable proportion of morbidity, mortality and elevated use of health services and costs, especially in developing countries. In limited resource countries like Albania, it is essential to assess the costs associated with diarrhea, from health provider and social perspective, as a first step toward prioritization of interventions.

Materials and Methods: We used the 2011 information by gathering data from primary care, emergency rooms (ER) and hospitals. Average non-medical and medical costs were used. To assess the social costs of diarrhea we interviewed parents of children with diarrhea. Based on this information the total cost of diarrhea in Albania was calculated.

Results: The total mean cost per hospitalized, emergency room and outpatient diarrhea case was $228.97, $17.68 and $9.24, respectively. The total social costs per each hospitalized, ER and outpatient diarrhea case were $45.66, $15.22 and $15.22, respectively. The final burden of diarrhea, in terms of costs, in Albania was approximately $3 million in 2011.

Conclusion: The high burden of diarrhea associated costs for the Albanian health care system finances dictates the necessity to assess the costs of a potential rotavirus immunization program in order to prioritize the interventions based on scientific evidence.

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Published

2013-12-15

How to Cite

1.
Ahmeti A, Simaku A, Preza I, Bino S. Diarrhea Associated Costs among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age from Health Care Provider and Social Perspectives in Albania. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2013 Dec. 15 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];1(1):112-6. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2013.023

Issue

Section

E - Public Health