Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana
Abstract Background The Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) strategy recommended by World Health Organization for tuberculosis control requires multiple clinic visits which may place economic burden on treatment supporters especially those with low socio-economic status. The End tuberculos...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10611-1 |
| _version_ | 1797275368792522752 |
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| author | Robert Bagngmen Bio Patricia Akweongo Augustina Koduah Augustine Adomah-Afari |
| author_facet | Robert Bagngmen Bio Patricia Akweongo Augustina Koduah Augustine Adomah-Afari |
| author_sort | Robert Bagngmen Bio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) strategy recommended by World Health Organization for tuberculosis control requires multiple clinic visits which may place economic burden on treatment supporters especially those with low socio-economic status. The End tuberculosis goal targeted eliminating all tuberculosis associated costs. However, the economic burden and coping mechanisms by treatment supporters is unknown in Ghana. Objectives The study determined the economic burden and coping mechanism by treatment supporters in Bono Region of Ghana. Methods Cross-sectional study using mixed method approach for data collection. For the quantitative data, a validated questionnaire was administered to 385 treatment supporters. Sixty in-depth interviews with treatment supporters to elicit information about their coping mechanisms using a semi-structured interview guide for the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics, costs estimation, thematic analysis and bivariate techniques were used for the data analysis. Results Averagely, each treatment supporter spent GHS 112.4 (US$21.1) on treatment support activities per month which is about 19% of their monthly income. Borrowing of money, sale of assets, used up saving were the major coping mechanisms used by treatment supporters. Highest level of education, household size, marital status and income level significantly influence both the direct and indirect costs associated with tuberculosis treatment support. The significant levels were set at 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Conclusion We concludes that the estimated cost and coping mechanisms associated with assisting tuberculosis patients with treatment is significant to the tuberculosis treatment supporters. If not mitigated these costs have the tendency to worsen the socio-economic status and future welfare of tuberculosis treatment supporters. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:12:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b8e641b2edaf45088e20ad154deb8687 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:12:21Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-b8e641b2edaf45088e20ad154deb86872024-03-05T18:05:58ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-01-0124111410.1186/s12913-024-10611-1Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, GhanaRobert Bagngmen Bio0Patricia Akweongo1Augustina Koduah2Augustine Adomah-Afari3School of Public Health, University of GhanaSchool of Public Health, University of GhanaSchool of Pharmacy, University of GhanaSchool of Public Health, University of GhanaAbstract Background The Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) strategy recommended by World Health Organization for tuberculosis control requires multiple clinic visits which may place economic burden on treatment supporters especially those with low socio-economic status. The End tuberculosis goal targeted eliminating all tuberculosis associated costs. However, the economic burden and coping mechanisms by treatment supporters is unknown in Ghana. Objectives The study determined the economic burden and coping mechanism by treatment supporters in Bono Region of Ghana. Methods Cross-sectional study using mixed method approach for data collection. For the quantitative data, a validated questionnaire was administered to 385 treatment supporters. Sixty in-depth interviews with treatment supporters to elicit information about their coping mechanisms using a semi-structured interview guide for the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics, costs estimation, thematic analysis and bivariate techniques were used for the data analysis. Results Averagely, each treatment supporter spent GHS 112.4 (US$21.1) on treatment support activities per month which is about 19% of their monthly income. Borrowing of money, sale of assets, used up saving were the major coping mechanisms used by treatment supporters. Highest level of education, household size, marital status and income level significantly influence both the direct and indirect costs associated with tuberculosis treatment support. The significant levels were set at 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Conclusion We concludes that the estimated cost and coping mechanisms associated with assisting tuberculosis patients with treatment is significant to the tuberculosis treatment supporters. If not mitigated these costs have the tendency to worsen the socio-economic status and future welfare of tuberculosis treatment supporters.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10611-1Bono RegionCoping mechanismEconomic burdenGhanaTreatment supporters |
| spellingShingle | Robert Bagngmen Bio Patricia Akweongo Augustina Koduah Augustine Adomah-Afari Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana BMC Health Services Research Bono Region Coping mechanism Economic burden Ghana Treatment supporters |
| title | Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana |
| title_full | Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana |
| title_fullStr | Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana |
| title_short | Economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters: a mixed method approach from Bono Region, Ghana |
| title_sort | economic burden and coping mechanisms by tuberculosis treatment supporters a mixed method approach from bono region ghana |
| topic | Bono Region Coping mechanism Economic burden Ghana Treatment supporters |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10611-1 |
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