Costs of Tuberculosis Treatment and Patient Adherence in China
Author Information
Author(s): Long Qian, Helen Smith, Tuohong Zhang, Shenglan Tang, Paul Garner
Primary Institution: Chongqing Medical University
Hypothesis
Does charging for tuberculosis treatment impact patient adherence?
Conclusion
High medical costs for tuberculosis treatment in China lead to low adherence rates among patients.
Supporting Evidence
- Low income patients pay between US$ 149 to 724 for tuberculosis treatment.
- 73% of TB patients reported interrupted or suspended treatment.
- Costs represent 42% to 119% of annual household income for low-income patients.
- Cost is the most cited reason for treatment default.
- Adherence rates vary from 3% to 25% across different studies.
Takeaway
In China, patients with tuberculosis often have to pay a lot of money for treatment, which makes it hard for them to stick to their medicine.
Methodology
Systematic review of primary research studies, including surveys and qualitative methods, conducted in mainland China.
Potential Biases
Possible underreporting of costs and adherence due to social desirability bias.
Limitations
Variation in cost measurement methods and potential biases in self-reported data.
Participant Demographics
Studies included patients from various income levels, primarily low-income households.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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