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Cost structure of healthcare in Kaloleni Subcounty (Kilifi, Kenya) from the patient perspective: Measuring the impact of direct healthcare costs on patients

Kazungu, Francis Katana
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4945-7290
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1641600584354852

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Science, Miami University, Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health.
Access to quality, affordable, and reliable healthcare has been a long-standing challenge in rural areas of developing countries. Rural households often incur high out-of-pocket expenditure for healthcare, resulting in a significant cost burden when seeking treatment for an illness. This study aimed to examine the cost structure of healthcare in a rural, underserved community in the Kaloleni Subcounty of Kilifi, Kenya. We measured the impact of direct healthcare costs on a sample of 37 households, along with the coping strategies and treatment-seeking behavior arising from these costs. Direct healthcare costs were grouped into 3 categories: consultation, diagnostic, and medicine fees. Results show that medicine was the highest direct healthcare cost, accounting for 64% of all expenses paid during an episode of illness. Direct healthcare costs also comprised over 12% of the monthly household expenditure in these households, with the lowest-earning homes being disproportionately affected. Malaria was the most common illness reported in the study area, accounting for 37% of all illness cases. Several strategies are proposed to ease the burden of direct healthcare costs. These include government subsidies for community-level healthcare facilities, increasing the availability of medicines, and improving the distribution/use of treated mosquito bed nets to prevent malaria transmission.
Philip Smith (Advisor)
Paul Branscum (Committee Member)
Helaine Alessio (Committee Member)
68 p.
Health Care; Health Sciences; Public Health
direct healthcare costs; kaloleni; kenya; malaria; cost structure; rural health; nhif; disparities in healthcare; healthcare in lmic; medicine; consultation; diagnostic; devolution; healthcare financing

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kazungu, F. K. (2022). Cost structure of healthcare in Kaloleni Subcounty (Kilifi, Kenya) from the patient perspective: Measuring the impact of direct healthcare costs on patients [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1641600584354852

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kazungu, Francis. Cost structure of healthcare in Kaloleni Subcounty (Kilifi, Kenya) from the patient perspective: Measuring the impact of direct healthcare costs on patients. 2022. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1641600584354852.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kazungu, Francis. "Cost structure of healthcare in Kaloleni Subcounty (Kilifi, Kenya) from the patient perspective: Measuring the impact of direct healthcare costs on patients." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1641600584354852

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1641600584354852
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This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.