Societal economic burden of hypertension at selected hospitals in southern Ethiopia: a patient-level analysis

Objectives There is inadequate information on the economic burden of hypertension treatment in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the societal economic burden of hypertension at selected hospitals in Southern Ethiopia. Methods Prevalence-based cost of illness study from a societal perspective was conducted. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were determined by the current WHO's recommended DALY valuation method. Adjustment for comorbidity and a 3% discount was done for DALYs. The data entry, processing and analysis were done by using SPSS V.21.0 and Microsoft Excel V.2013. Results We followed a cohort of 406 adult patients with hypertension retrospectively for 10 years from September 2010 to 2020. Two hundred and fifty (61.6%) of patients were women with a mean age of 55.87 +/- 11.03 years. Less than 1 in five 75 (18.5%) of patients achieved their blood pressure control target. A total of US$64 837.48 direct cost was incurred due to hypertension. A total of 11 585 years and 579.57 years were lost due to hypertension-related premature mortality and morbidity, respectively. Treated and uncontrolled hypertension accounted for 50.83% (6027) of total years lost due to premature mortality from treated hypertension cohort. Total productivity loss due to premature mortality and morbidity was US$449 394.69. The overall economic burden of hypertension was US$514 232.16 (US$105.55 per person per month). Conclusion Societal economic burden of hypertension in Southern Ethiopia was substantial. Indirect costs accounted for more than 8 out of 10 dollars. Treated and uncontrolled hypertension took the lion's share of economic cost and productivity loss due to premature mortality and morbidity. Therefore, designing and implanting strategies for the prevention of hypertension, early screening and detection, and improving the rate of blood pressure control by involving all relevant stakeholders at all levels is critical to saving scarce health resources.

Automated summary

This study aimed to determine the societal economic burden of hypertension in selected hospitals in Southern Ethiopia. The results showed that hypertension resulted in significant direct and indirect costs, and had a considerable impact on productivity and years of life lost.