%0 Journal Article
%T Assessment of the Indirect Cost of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Treatment to Patients in a High Burden, Low Income Setting in Mozambique
%A J&#250
%A lia Malache Ant&#243
%A nio
%A Domingas Pacala
%A Isabelle Munyangaju
%A Isa&#237
%A as Benzana
%A Claudia Mutaquiha
%A Dulce Os&#243
%A rio
%A Benedita Jos&#233
%A Edy Nacarapa
%A Pereira Zindoga
%J Journal of Tuberculosis Research
%P 91-104
%@ 2329-8448
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/jtr.2024.122006
%X <b>Introduction: </b>Tuberculosis is closely linked to poverty, with patients facing significant indirect treatment costs. Treating drug-resistant tuberculosis further increases these expenses. Notably, there is a lack of published data on the indirect costs incurred by patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis in Mozambique. <b>Objective: </b>To assess the indirect costs, income reduction, and work productivity incurred by patients undergoing diagnosis and treatment for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB) in Mozambique during their TB treatment. <b>Methods: </b>As part of a comprehensive mixed-methods study conducted from January 2021 to April 2023, this research utilized a descriptive cross-sectional approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. The primary goal was to evaluate the costs incurred by the national health system due to drug-resistant TB. Additionally, to explore the indirect costs experienced by patients and their families during treatment, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 individuals who had been undergoing treatment for over six months. <b>Results: </b>All survey participants unanimously reported a significant decline in labour productivity, with 70.3% experiencing a reduction in their monthly income. Before falling ill, the majority of respondents (33.3%) earned up to $76.92 monthly, representing the minimum earnings range, while 29.2% had a monthly income above $230.77, the maximum earnings range. Among those who experienced income loss, the majority (22.2%) reported a decrease of up to $76.92 per month, and 18.5% cited a loss exceeding $230.77 per month. Notably, patients with Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB) have not incurred the direct costs of the disease, as these are covered by the government. <b>Conclusion: </b>The financial burden of treating Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DRTB), along with the income reduction it causes, is substantial. Implementing a patient-centred, multidisciplinary, and multisector approach, coupled with strong psychosocial support, can significantly reduce the catastrophic costs DRTB patients incur.
%K Economic Costs
%K Drug Resistance
%K Tuberculosis
%K Catastrophic Costs
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=133007