Socio-Economic Burden of Type-2 Diabetes among Patients Attending Pantang Government Hospital

Abstract

Introduction Type-2 Diabetes is fast attaining pandemic levels. Globally, it exerts a huge toll on patients and society, physical, financial and psychosocial burden. The objectives of the study include were the following: to estimate the direct treatment cost (consultation, lab test, treatments) of type-2 diabetes, to estimate the indirect treatment cost (working hours lost, lost wages) of type-2 diabetes, to determine intangible cost (physical pain, psychological pain, social isolation, anxiety, stress, depression, stigmatization, self-esteem etc.) associated with type-2 diabetes. Methods The study was a cross-sectional survey study which adopted the cost-of-illness approach to estimate the socio-economic burden of type-2 diabetes patients. The explanatory variables were direct, indirect and intangible costs (including socio-behavior factors) of type-2 diabetes. The study participants were patients with type-2 diabetes who sought care at the out-patient division of Pantang Government Hospital. The study relied on consecutive random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using STATA 13 and the excel version 2007. Results The overall total direct medical cost and direct non-medical cost of type-2 diabetics was estimated to be GHS 30,693.50 (USD$ 138, 910.95) with total direct average cost of GHS 4,384.79. With the indirect medical cost, the overall value of time absent from productive work within past month was estimated as GHS 1,268.08 (US$ 589.50). The mean indirect cost was GHS 93.67 (95% CI: 0-88.54). With the intangible medical cost, a higher percentage of complicated diabetic patients suffered severe physical pains (37.86%). The majority of the patients also indicated that, they got fatigued due to diabetes. About 36.9% of the diabetic patients reported feeling depressed often while 26.7% were always depressed. Conclusion The analysis of estimated total treatment cost and related intangible burden of type-2 diabetes suggest that the disease posed socio-economic burden on individuals. The complexity of the disease requires constant and regular treatment regime to avoid complications and its associated cost burden.