Injuries and their related household costs in a tertiary hospital in Ghana
Date
2020-05-26
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Emergency Medicine
Abstract
Introduction
Injuries remain a leading cause of death in many developing countries, accounting for more deaths than HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined. This study set out to determine the associated patient costs of reported injury cases at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana.
Method
A cross-sectional retrospective Cost-of-Illness study of 301 sampled patients was undertaken, following a review of injured patients' records from January–December 2016. Direct cost, (consisting of consultation, surgery, medicines, transportation, property damage, food and consumables) was estimated. Indirect cost was calculated using the Human capital approach. Intangible cost was assessed using Likert scale analysis. The overall household cost, average cost of various injuries and intangible costs were determined.
Results
The total annual household cost of injuries to patients who attended KBTH was US$11,327,461.96, of which 82% was the direct cost. The average household cost of injuries was US$ 1276.15. All injuries recorded some level of high intangible cost but was exceptional for burns.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Injuries, Direct cost, Indirect cost, Intangible cos, Household, Economic, Ghana
Citation
Paa-Kwesi Blankson, et al., African Journal of Emergency Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2020.04.004