Effects of out-of-pocket expenses on adherence to treatment: perceptions of patients with tuberculosis
Keywords:
Gasto de bolsillo; Adherencia al tratamiento; Tuberculosis; Salud públicaAbstract
Introduction: The cost of a disease can be a determining factor in the interruption or abandonment of treatment.
Objective: To describe patients' perceptions of the effects of out-of-pocket expenses on adherence to tuberculosis treatment at the Hospital Dr. Francisco Vicente Castro Sandoval, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
Methods: Quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study between July and September 2024. The 41 patients with tuberculosis at the Hospital Boca Chica were surveyed. The variables were: age, sex, schooling, time on treatment, place of access to medication, perception of the effect of the cost of treatment on adherence and family well-being. Summary measures were used according to the type of variable.
Results: 78% of the respondents considered that the costs associated with treatment have not affected their ability to keep medical appointments and 75% have had no financial difficulties in accessing medications. 61% of patients considered the cost of TB treatment affordable. 73.2% did not consider costs to influence their adherence to treatment; however, 17.1% reported that having financial support would greatly facilitate adherence to treatment. 80.5% reported that the government should offer more financial support.
Conclusions: Out-of-pocket spending did not pose a barrier to adherence to TB treatment, however one third of the population does face an affectation of their widowhood conditions due to this disease.
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