Economic cost of dengue fever treatment in Miagao, Iloilo

Abstract

Dengue, the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral infection in the world, has caused many deaths in the Philippines. The municipality of Miagao, Iloilo Province, has recorded a high number of dengue cases in recent years. This study determined the economic cost of dengue fever treatment among affected households and patients with dengue in 2016 in Miagao. The study used a cross-sectional data collected from 169 interviews with the study participants for 201 dengue patients from 62 barangays in Miagao in February to April 2017. The study identified, measured, and valued the various costs related to dengue fever treatment. Results showed that the total economic cost for home-treated patients averaged at Pl2,522.08 for both the patient and the caregiver (household), with the following breakdown: P5,068.82 for monetary costs (direct medical and non-medical costs) and P7,453.26 as opportunity cost. For those who were admitted in the hospital, the total economic cost averaged at P22,213.31 with the following breakdown: P9,504.77 for monetary costs and P12,708.54 for opportunity cost. As expected, patients treated at home had lower costs both in monetary and nonmonetary aspects compared to those confined in the hospital. Although the majority of the study participants are knowledgeable about dengue, it is still necessary to increase their awareness of dengue prevention in order to prevent dengue treatment costs for the households. The local government must also strengthen the implementation of its existing dengue prevention policies and programs to mobilize cooperation and involvement of the people in dengue prevention.