Cost of diabetes treatment in private facilities for low resource urban community in South India

Background and aim Diabetes has become a public health threat. The cost of diabetes care varies in different communities and depends on health-seeking behavior and socio-economic condition of the people. Data on economic and social impact of diabetes treatment among socially weaker section is scanty. Hence, this study was conducted to estimate the direct and indirect cost of treating diabetes among people living in low resource urban setting. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1065 households in the two selected areas of North Chennai. Data was collected from individuals who were taking diabetes treatment in private health care facilities. The cost toward diabetes treatment for each participant was calculated using their medical bills, tablet strips and also self-reported cost details. Results A total of 341 individuals were found to have diabetes and out of them, 230 (M:F, 63:167) individuals who attended private health facilities for their diabetes treatment were studied. Around 73% of them earned a monthly income of < INR 10,000. The study revealed that median annual direct cost of treating diabetes among the study participants was amounted to INR 7540. Annual median indirect cost amounted to INR 1650. Conclusion People living with diabetes in low resource urban setting spent more toward direct medical cost. The out of pocket expenditure was mainly on hospitalization followed by medicines and investigations. The strengthening and provision of appropriate primary public health care services for diabetes in this setting may reduce out of pocket expenditure toward treatment of diabetes in private health care facilities.

Automated summary

The study aimed to estimate the direct and indirect cost of treating diabetes among people living in low resource urban setting. It found that individuals living with diabetes in this setting spent more on direct medical cost, with out of pocket expenditure mainly on hospitalization, followed by medicines and investigations. Strengthening and provision of appropriate primary public health care services for diabetes may reduce out of pocket expenditure in private health care facilities.