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Salari P, Henrard S, O’Mahony C, Welsing P, Bhadhuri A, Jungo KT, Beck T, O’Mahony D, Byrne S, Spinewine A, Knol W, Rodondi N, Schwenkglenks M. Healthcare Costs and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Multimorbid Patients After Hospitalization. Health Serv Insights 2023; 16:11786329231153278. [PMID: 36760460 PMCID: PMC9903041 DOI: 10.1177/11786329231153278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives We identified factors associated with healthcare costs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of multimorbid older adults with polypharmacy. Methods Using data from the OPERAM (OPtimising thERapy to prevent Avoidable hospital admissions in the Multimorbid older people) trial, we described the magnitude and composition of healthcare costs, and time trends of HRQoL, during 1-year after an acute-care hospitalization. We performed a cluster analysis to identify groups with different cost and HRQoL trends. Using multilevel models, we also identified factors associated with costs and HRQoL. Results Two months after hospitalization monthly mean costs peaked (CHF 7'124) and HRQoL was highest (0.67). They both decreased thereafter. Age, falls, and comorbidities were associated with higher 1-year costs. Being female and housebound were negatively associated with HRQoL, while moderate alcohol consumption had a positive association. Being independent in daily activities was associated with lower costs and higher HRQoL. Conclusion Although only some identified potential influences on costs and HRQoL are modifiable, our observations support the importance of prevention before health deterioration in older people with multimorbid illness and associated polypharmacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Switzerland,Paola Salari, Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse, 61, Basel 4056, Switzerland.
| | - Séverine Henrard
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium,Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Cian O’Mahony
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Paco Welsing
- Division of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjun Bhadhuri
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Beck
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Denis O’Mahony
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Stephen Byrne
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium,CHU UCL Namur, Pharmacy Department, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Wilma Knol
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Expertise Centre Pharmacotherapy in Old Persons, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland,Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Durizzo K, Harttgen K, Tediosi F, Sahu M, Kuwawenaruwa A, Salari P, Günther I. Toward mandatory health insurance in low-income countries? An analysis of claims data in Tanzania. Health Econ 2022; 31:2187-2207. [PMID: 35933731 PMCID: PMC9543525 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Many low-income countries are in the process of scaling up health insurance with the goal of achieving universal coverage. However, little is known about the usage and financial sustainability of mandatory health insurance. This study analyzes 26 million claims submitted to the Tanzanian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which covers two million public servants for whom public insurance is mandatory, to understand insurance usage patterns, cost drivers, and financial sustainability. We find that in 2016, half of policyholders used a health service within a single year, with an average annual cost of 33 US$ per policyholder. About 10% of the population was responsible for 80% of the health costs, and women, middle-age and middle-income groups had the highest costs. Out of 7390 health centers, only five health centers are responsible for 30% of total costs. Estimating the expected health expenditures for the entire population based on the NHIF cost structure, we find that for a sustainable national scale-up, policy makers will have to decide between reducing the health benefit package or increasing revenues. We also show that the cost structure of a mandatory insurance scheme in a low-income country differs substantially from high-income settings. Replication studies for other countries are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Maitreyi Sahu
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
- University of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - August Kuwawenaruwa
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- Ifakara Health InstituteDar es SalaamTanzania
| | - Paola Salari
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health InstituteAllschwilSwitzerland
- University of BaselBaselSwitzerland
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Galactionova K, Loibl S, Salari P, Marmé F, Martin M, Untch M, Bonnefoi HR, Kim SB, Bear HD, McCarthy N, Gelmon KA, García-Sáenz JA, Kelly CM, Reimer T, Toi M, Rugo HS, Gnant M, Makris A, Burchardi N, Schwenkglenks M. Cost-effectiveness of palbociclib in early breast cancer patients with a high risk of relapse: Results from the PENELOPE-B trial. Front Oncol 2022; 12:886831. [PMID: 36132153 PMCID: PMC9484462 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.886831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) are at a high risk of relapse. PENELOPE-B was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial that investigated adding palbociclib (PAL) for thirteen 28-day cycles to adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) in these patients. Clinical results showed no significant improvement in invasive disease-free survival with PAL. Methods We performed a pre-planned cost-effectiveness analysis of PAL within PENELOPE-B from the perspective of the German statutory health insurance. Health-related quality of life scores, collected in the trial using the EQ-5D-3L instrument, were converted to utilities based on the German valuation algorithm. Resource use was valued using German price weights. Outcomes were discounted at 3% and modeled with mixed-level linear models to adjust for attrition, repeated measurements, and residual baseline imbalances. Subgroup analyses were performed for key prognostic risk factors. Scenario analyses addressed data limitations and evaluated the robustness of the estimated cost-effectiveness of PAL to methodological choices. Results The effects of PAL on quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were marginal during the active treatment phase, increasing thereafter to 0.088 (95% confidence interval: −0.001; 0.177) QALYs gained over the 4 years of follow-up. The incremental costs were dominated by PAL averaging EUR 33,000 per patient; costs were higher in the PAL arm but not significantly different after the second year. At an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of EUR 380,000 per QALY gained, PAL was not cost-effective compared to the standard-of-care ET. Analyses restricted to Germany and other subgroups were consistent with the main results. Findings were robust in the scenarios evaluated. Conclusions One year of PAL added to ET is not cost-effective in women with residual invasive disease after NACT in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Galactionova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Katya Galactionova,
| | | | - Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frederik Marmé
- Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, University Hospital Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Miguel Martin
- Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria Gregorio Marañon, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer (CIBERONC), Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Spanish Breast Cancer Group, Grupo Español de Investigación en Cáncer de Mama (GEICAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Michael Untch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Helios Kliniken Berlin-Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hervé R. Bonnefoi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Bergonié and Université de Bordeaux Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U916, Bordeaux, France
| | - Sung-Bae Kim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Harry D. Bear
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Nicole McCarthy
- Australia and New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | - José A. García-Sáenz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Clinico San Carlos (IdISSC), Madrid, Spain
- Grupo Español de Investigación en Cáncer de Mama (GEICAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Toralf Reimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Masakazu Toi
- Breast Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hope S. Rugo
- University of California San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Michael Gnant
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Galactionova K, Salari P, Mattli R, Rachamin Y, Meier R, Schwenkglenks M. Correction to: Cost-Effectiveness, Burden of Disease and Budget Impact of Inclisiran: Dynamic Cohort Modelling of a Real-World Population with Cardiovascular Disease. Pharmacoeconomics 2022; 40:835. [PMID: 35798916 PMCID: PMC9300542 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-022-01171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Katya Galactionova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Renato Mattli
- Winterthur Institute of Health Economics, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Yael Rachamin
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Meier
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Galactionova K, Salari P, Mattli R, Rachamin Y, Meier R, Schwenkglenks M. Cost-Effectiveness, Burden of Disease and Budget Impact of Inclisiran: Dynamic Cohort Modelling of a Real-World Population with Cardiovascular Disease. Pharmacoeconomics 2022; 40:791-806. [PMID: 35723806 PMCID: PMC9300545 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-022-01152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness, burden of disease and budget impact of inclisiran added to standard-of-care lipid-lowering therapy in the real-world secondary cardiovascular prevention population in Switzerland. METHODS An open-cohort Markov model captured event risks by sex, age and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol based on epidemiological and real-world data. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with add-on inclisiran was based on trial results and translated to meta-analysis-based relative risks of cardiovascular events. Unit costs for 2018 were based on publicly available sources, adopting a Swiss healthcare system perspective. Price assumptions of Swiss francs (CHF) 500 and CHF 3,000 per dose of inclisiran were evaluated, combined with uptake assumptions for burden of disease and budget impact. The assessment of cost-effectiveness used a discount rate of 3% per year. We performed deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, and extensive scenario analyses. RESULTS Patients treated with inclisiran gained a 0.291 qualityadjusted life-year at an incremental cost per QALY gained of CHF 21,107/228,040 (life-long time horizon, discount rate 3%) under the lower/higher price. Inclisiran prevented 1025 cardiovascular deaths, 3425 acute coronary syndrome episodes, and 1961 strokes in 48,823 patients ever treated during 10 years; the 5-year budget impact was CHF 49.3/573.4 million under the lower/higher price. Estimates were sensitive to calibration targets and treatment eligibility; burden of disease/budget impact results also to uptake. Limitations included uncertainties about model assumptions and the size and characteristics of the population modelled. CONCLUSIONS Inclisiran may be cost-effective at a willingness to pay of CHF 30,000 if priced at CHF 500; a threshold upwards of CHF 250,000 will be required if priced at CHF 3000. Inclisiran could enable important reductions in cardiovascular burden particularly under broader eligibility with a budget impact range from moderate to high depending on price.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Galactionova
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Renato Mattli
- Winterthur Institute of Health Economics, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Yael Rachamin
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Meier
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Salari P, O’Mahony C, Henrard S, Welsing P, Bhadhuri A, Schur N, Roumet M, Beglinger S, Beck T, Jungo KT, Byrne S, Hossmann S, Knol W, O’Mahony D, Spinewine A, Rodondi N, Schwenkglenks M. Cost-effectiveness of a structured medication review approach for multimorbid older adults: Within-trial analysis of the OPERAM study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265507. [PMID: 35404990 PMCID: PMC9000111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Inappropriate polypharmacy has been linked with adverse outcomes in older, multimorbid adults. OPERAM is a European cluster-randomized trial aimed at testing the effect of a structured pharmacotherapy optimization intervention on preventable drug-related hospital admissions in multimorbid adults with polypharmacy aged 70 years or older. Clinical results of the trial showed a pattern of reduced drug-related hospital admissions, but without statistical significance. In this study we assessed the cost-effectiveness of the pharmacotherapy optimisation intervention. Methods We performed a pre-planned within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of the OPERAM intervention, from a healthcare system perspective. All data were collected within the trial apart from unit costs. QALYs were computed by applying the crosswalk German valuation algorithm to EQ-5D-5L-based quality of life data. Considering the clustered structure of the data and between-country heterogeneity, we applied Generalized Structural Equation Models (GSEMs) on a multiple imputed sample to estimate costs and QALYs. We also performed analyses by country and subgroup analyses by patient and morbidity characteristics. Results Trial-wide, the intervention was numerically dominant, with a potential cost-saving of CHF 3’588 (95% confidence interval (CI): -7’716; 540) and gain of 0.025 QALYs (CI: -0.002; 0.052) per patient. Robustness analyses confirmed the validity of the GSEM model. Subgroup analyses suggested stronger effects in people at higher risk. Conclusion We observed a pattern towards dominance, potentially resulting from an accumulation of multiple small positive intervention effects. Our methodological approaches may inform other CEAs of multi-country, cluster-randomized trials facing presence of missing values and heterogeneity between centres/countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Cian O’Mahony
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Séverine Henrard
- Louvain Drug Research Institute, Clinical Pharmacy Research Group, UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paco Welsing
- Division of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjun Bhadhuri
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nadine Schur
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie Roumet
- Clinical Trial Unit Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Shanthi Beglinger
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Beck
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Stephen Byrne
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Wilma Knol
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Expertise Centre Pharmacotherapy in Old Persons, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Denis O’Mahony
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Anne Spinewine
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS), UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Pharmacy Department, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Lucas ADP, de Oliveira Ferreira M, Lucas TDP, Salari P. The intergenerational relationship between conditional cash transfers and newborn health. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:201. [PMID: 35094683 PMCID: PMC8801108 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12565-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lack of nutrition, inadequate housing, low education and limited access to quality care can negatively affect children’s health over their lifetime. Implemented in 2003, the Bolsa Familia (“Family Stipend”) Program (PBF) is a conditional cash transfer program targeting poor households in Brazil. This study investigates the long-term benefits of cash transfers through intergenerational transmission of health and poverty by assessing the early life exposure of the mother to the PBF. Methods We used data from the 100M SINASC-SIM cohort compiled and managed by the Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health (CIDACS), containing information about participation in the PBF and socioeconomic and health indicators. We analyzed five measures of newborn health: low (less than 2,500 g) and very low (less than 1,500 g) birth weight, premature (less than 37 weeks of gestation) and very premature (less than 28 weeks of gestation) birth, and the presence of some type of malformation (according to ICD-10 codes). Furthermore, we measured the early life exposure to the PBF of the mother as PBF coverage in the previous decade in the city where the mother was born. We applied multilevel logistic regression models to assess the associations between birth outcomes and PBF exposures. Results Results showed that children born in a household where the mother received BF were less likely to have low birth weight (OR 0.93, CI; 0.92-0.94), very low birth weight (0.87, CI; 0.84-0.89), as well as to be born after 37 weeks of gestation (OR 0.98, CI; 0.97-0.99) or 28 weeks of gestation (OR 0.93, CI; 0.88-0.97). There were no significant associations between households where the mother received BF and congenital malformation. On average, the higher the early life exposure to the PBF of the mother, the lower was the prevalence of low birth weight, very low birth weight and congenital malformation of the newborn. No trend was noted for preterm birth. Conclusion The PBF might have indirect intergenerational effects on children’s health. These results provide important implications for policymakers who have to decide how to effectively allocate resources to improve child health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-12565-7.
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Akweongo P, Voetagbe E, Tediosi F, Gadeka DD, Salari P, Aikins M. Community perceptions of enrolment of indigents into the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana: a case study of the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty Programme. Glob Health Res Policy 2022; 7:4. [PMID: 35090567 PMCID: PMC8796334 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-022-00238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) programme in Ghana as part of its beneficiary programme, identifies the poor/indigents for exemptions from premium payments in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This paper sought to understand community perceptions of enrolling the poor in the NHIS through LEAP in order to inform policy. METHODS The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design by using a qualitative approach. The study was conducted in three geographical regions of Ghana: Greater Accra, Brong-Ahafo and Northern region representing the three ecological zones of Ghana between October 2017 and February 2018. The study population included community members, health workers, NHIS staff and social welfare officers/social development officers. Eighty-one in-depth interviews and 23 Focus Group Discussions were conducted across the three regions. Data were analysed thematically and verbatim quotes from participants were used to support the views of participants. RESULTS The study shows that participants were aware of the existence of LEAP and its benefits. There was, however, a general belief that the process of LEAP had been politicized and therefore favours only people who were sympathizers of the ruling government as they got enrolled into the NHIS. Participants held the view that the process of selecting beneficiaries lacked transparency, thus, they were not satisfied with the selection process. However, the study shows the ability of the community to identify the poor. The study reports varying concepts of poverty and its identification across the three ecological zones of Ghana. CONCLUSION There is a general perception of politicization and lack of transparency of the selection of the poor into the NHIS through the LEAP programme in Ghana. Community-based approaches in the selection of the indigent are recommended to safeguard the NHIS-LEAP beneficiary process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socintrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Moses Aikins
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Galactionova K, Loibl S, Salari P, Marmé F, Martin M, Untch M, Bonnefoi H, Kim SB, Bear H, McCarthy N, Gelmon K, García-Saenz J, Kelly C, Reimer T, Toi M, Rugo H, Gnant M, Makris A, Burchardi N, Schwenkglenks M. 132P Health economic properties of palbociclib in breast cancer patients with high risk of relapse following neoadjuvant therapy: Results from the Penelope-B trial. Ann Oncol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.08.413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Aikins M, Tabong PTN, Salari P, Tediosi F, Asenso-Boadi FM, Akweongo P. Positioning the National Health Insurance for financial sustainability and Universal Health Coverage in Ghana: A qualitative study among key stakeholders. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253109. [PMID: 34129630 PMCID: PMC8205146 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was introduced in 2003 to reduce "out-of-pocket" payments for health care in Ghana. Over a decade of its implementation, issues about the financial sustainability of this pro-poor policy remains a crippling fact despite its critical role to go towards Universal Health Coverage. We therefore conducted this study to elicit stakeholders' views on ways to improve the financial sustainability of the operations of NHIS. METHODS Twenty (20) stakeholders were identified from Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Services, health workers groups, private medical practitioners, civil society organizations and developmental partners. They were interviewed using an interview guide developed from a NHIS policy review and analysis. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analysed thematically with the aid of NVivo 12 software. RESULTS Stakeholders admitted that the NHIS is currently unable to meet its financial obligations. The stakeholders suggested first the adoption of capitation as a provider payment mechanism to minimize the risk of providers' fraud and protection from political interference. Secondly, they indicated that rapid releases of specific statutory deductions and taxes for NHIS providers could reduce delays in claims' reimbursement which is one of the main challenges faced by healthcare providers. Aligning the NHIS with the Community-based Health Planning and Services and including preventive and promotive health is necessary to position the Scheme for Universal Health Coverage. CONCLUSION The Scheme will potentially achieve UHC if protected from political interference to improve the governance and transparency that affects the finances of the scheme and the expansion of services to include preventive and promotive services and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moses Aikins
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Philip Teg-Nefaah Tabong
- Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
| | - Paola Salari
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Patricia Akweongo
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra
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Akweongo P, Chatio ST, Owusu R, Salari P, Tediosi F, Aikins M. Correction: How does it affect service delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana? Health providers and insurance managers perspective on submission and reimbursement of claims. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253357. [PMID: 34111214 PMCID: PMC8191894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Akweongo P, Aikins M, Wyss K, Salari P, Tediosi F. Insured clients out-of-pocket payments for health care under the national health insurance scheme in Ghana. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:440. [PMID: 33964911 PMCID: PMC8106211 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06401-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2003, Ghana implemented a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) designed to promote universal health coverage and equitable access to health care. The scheme has largely been successful, yet it is confronted with many challenges threatening its sustainability. Out-of-pocket payments (OOP) by insured clients is one of such challenges of the scheme. This study sought to examine the types of services OOP charges are made for by insured clients and how much insured clients pay out-of-pocket. METHODS This was a descriptive cross-sectional health facility survey. A total of 2066 respondents were interviewed using structured questionnaires at the point of health care exit in the Ashanti, Northern and Central regions of Ghana. Health facilities of different levels were selected from 3 districts in each of the three regions. Data were collected between April and June 2018. Using Epidata and STATA Version 13.1 data analyses were done using multiple logistic regression and simple descriptive statistics and the results presented as proportions and means. RESULTS Of all the survey respondents 49.7% reported paying out-of-pocket for out-patient care while 46.9% of the insured clients paid out-of-pocket. Forty-two percent of the insured poorest quintile also paid out-of-pocket. Insured clients paid for consultation (75%) and drugs (63.2%) while 34.9% purchased drugs outside the health facility they visited. The unavailability of drugs (67.9%) and drugs not covered by the NHIS (20.8%) at the health facility led to out-of-pocket payments. On average, patients paid GHS33.00 (USD6.6) out-of-pocket. Compared to the Ashanti region, patients living in the Northern region were 74% less at odds to pay out-of-pocket for health care. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Insured clients of Ghana's NHIS seeking health care in accredited health facilities make out-of-pocket payments for consultation and drugs that are covered by the scheme. The out-of-pocket payments are largely attributed to unavailability of drugs at the facilities while the consultation fees are charged to meet the administrative costs of services. These charges occur in disadvantaged regions and in all health facilities. The high reliance on out-of-pocket payments can impede Ghana's progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goal 3, seeking to end poverty and reduce inequalities. In order to build trust and confidence in the NHIS there is the need to eliminate out-of-pocket payments for consultation and medicines by insured clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Akweongo
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Moses Aikins
- School of Public Health, University of Ghana, P. O. Box LG13, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kaspar Wyss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Socintrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, 4001, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland, Socintrasse 57, 4051, Basel, Switzerland
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13
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Akweongo P, Chatio ST, Owusu R, Salari P, Tedisio F, Aikins M. How does it affect service delivery under the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana? Health providers and insurance managers perspective on submission and reimbursement of claims. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247397. [PMID: 33651816 PMCID: PMC7924798 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In 2003, the Government of Ghana launched the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to enable all Ghanaian residents to have access to health services at the point of care without financial difficulty. However, the system has faced a number of challenges relating to delays in submission and reimbursement of claims. This study assessed views of stakeholders on claims submission, processing and re-imbursement under the NHIS and how that affected health service delivery in Ghana. METHODS The study employed qualitative methods where in-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders in three administrative regions in Ghana. Purposive sampling method was used to select health facilities and study participants for the interviews. QSR Nvivo 12 software was used to code the data into themes for thematic analysis. RESULTS The results point to key barriers such as lack of qualified staff to process claims, unclear vetting procedure and the failure of National Health Insurance Scheme officers to draw the attention of health facility staff to resolve discrepancies on time. Participants perceived that lack of clarity, inaccurate data and the use of non-professional staff for NHIS claims vetting prolonged reimbursement of claims. This affected operations of credentialed health facilities including the provision of health services. It is perceived that unavailability of funds led to re-use of disposable medical supplies in health service delivery in credentialed health facilities. Stakeholders suggested that submission of genuine claims by health providers and regular monitoring of health facilities reduces errors on claims reports and delays in reimbursement of claims. CONCLUSION Long delays in claims reimbursement, perceived vetting discrepancies affect health service delivery. Thus, effective collaboration of all stakeholders is necessary in order to develop a long-term strategy to address the issue under the NHIS to improve health service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Samuel Tamti Chatio
- University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
- Navrongo Health Research Centre, Navrongo, Ghana
- * E-mail:
| | - Richmond Owusu
- University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
| | - Paola Salari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tedisio
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Moses Aikins
- University of Ghana, School of Public Health, Accra, Ghana
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14
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Campbell CH, Binder S, King CH, Knopp S, Rollinson D, Person B, Webster B, Allan F, Utzinger J, Ame SM, Ali SM, Kabole F, N'Goran EK, Tediosi F, Salari P, Ouattara M, Diakité NR, Hattendorf J, S Andros T, Kittur N, Colley DG. SCORE Operational Research on Moving toward Interruption of Schistosomiasis Transmission. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:58-65. [PMID: 32400354 PMCID: PMC7351301 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of its diverse portfolio, the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation (SCORE) included two cluster-randomized trials evaluating interventions that could potentially lead to interruption of schistosomiasis transmission (elimination) in areas of Africa with low prevalence and intensity of infection. These studies, conducted in Zanzibar and Côte d’Ivoire, demonstrated that multiyear mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel failed to interrupt the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis, even when provided biannually and/or supplemented by small-scale implementation of additional interventions. Other SCORE activities related to elimination included a feasibility and acceptability assessment of test–treat–track–test–treat (T5) strategies and mathematical modeling. Future evaluations of interventions to eliminate schistosomiasis should recognize the difficulties inherent in conducting randomized controlled trials on elimination and in measuring small changes where baseline prevalence is low. Highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests for use in very low–prevalence areas for schistosomiasis are not routinely available, which complicates accurate measurement of infection rates and assessment of changes resulting from interventions in these settings. Although not encountered in these two studies, as prevalence and intensity decrease, political and community commitment to population-wide MDA may decrease. Because of this potential problem, SCORE developed and funded the T5 strategy implemented in Egypt, Kenya, and Tanzania. It is likely that focal MDA campaigns, along with more targeted approaches, including a T5 strategy and snail control, will need to be supplemented with the provision of clean water and sanitation and behavior change communications to achieve interruption of schistosome transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl H Campbell
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Sue Binder
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Charles H King
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.,Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - David Rollinson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bobbie Person
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Bonnie Webster
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Allan
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Life Sciences, Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shaali M Ame
- Public Health Laboratory - Ivo de Carneri, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Said M Ali
- Public Health Laboratory - Ivo de Carneri, Pemba, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Fatma Kabole
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Ministry of Health Zanzibar, Unguja, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Eliézer K N'Goran
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Salari
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mamadou Ouattara
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Nana R Diakité
- Unité de Formation et de Recherche Biosciences, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.,Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Jan Hattendorf
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tamara S Andros
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Nupur Kittur
- Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Daniel G Colley
- Department of Microbiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.,Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation, Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
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15
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Bhadhuri A, Kind P, Salari P, Jungo KT, Boland B, Byrne S, Hossmann S, Dalleur O, Knol W, Moutzouri E, O'Mahony D, Murphy KD, Wisselink L, Rodondi N, Schwenkglenks M. Measurement properties of EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L in recording self-reported health status in older patients with substantial multimorbidity and polypharmacy. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2020; 18:317. [PMID: 32993637 PMCID: PMC7526382 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-020-01564-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L are two generic health-related quality of life measures, which may be used in clinical and health economic research. They measure impairment in 5 aspects of health: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L in measuring the self-reported health status of older patients with substantial multimorbidity and associated polypharmacy. METHODS Between 2017 and 2019, we administered EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L to a subset of patients participating in the OPERAM trial at 6 months and 12 months after enrolment. The OPERAM trial is a two-arm multinational cluster randomised controlled trial of structured medication review assisted by a software-based decision support system versus usual pharmaceutical care, for older people (aged ≥ 70 years) with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. In the psychometric analyses, we only included participants who completed the measures in full at 6 and 12 months. We assessed whether responses to the measures were consistent by assessing the proportion of EQ-5D-5L responses, which were 2 or more levels away from that person's EQ-5D-3L response. We also compared the measures in terms of informativity, and discriminant validity and responsiveness relative to the Barthel Index, which measures independence in activities of daily living. RESULTS 224 patients (mean age of 77 years; 56% male) were included in the psychometric analyses. Ceiling effects reported with the EQ-5D-5L (22%) were lower than with the EQ-5D-3L (29%). For the mobility item, the EQ-5D-5L demonstrated better informativity (Shannon's evenness index score of 0.86) than the EQ-5D-3L (Shannon's evenness index score of 0.69). Both the 3L and 5L versions of EQ-5D demonstrated good performance in terms of discriminant validity, i.e. (out of all items of the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L, the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression items had the weakest correlation with the Barthel Index. Both the 3L and 5L versions of EQ-5D demonstrated good responsiveness to changes in the Barthel Index. CONCLUSION Both EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L demonstrated validity and responsiveness when administered to older adults with substantial multimorbidity and polypharmacy who were able to complete the measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Bhadhuri
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Paul Kind
- Academic Unit for Health Economics, Institute for Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Paola Salari
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Benoît Boland
- Institut de Recherche Santé et Société, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Stephen Byrne
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Olivia Dalleur
- Institut de Recherche Santé et Société, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wilma Knol
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Expertise Centre Pharmacotherapy in Old Persons, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elisavet Moutzouri
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Denis O'Mahony
- Department of Medicine (Geriatrics), School of Medicine, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Kevin D Murphy
- Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Linda Wisselink
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Expertise Centre Pharmacotherapy in Old Persons, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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16
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Salari P, Fürst T, Knopp S, Rollinson D, Kabole F, Khamis MI, Omar MA, Bacon O, Ali SM, Utzinger J, Tediosi F. Financial Costs of the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission Project. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 103:2260-2267. [PMID: 32996446 PMCID: PMC7695112 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.20-0252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
We estimated the financial costs of different interventions against urogenital schistosomiasis, implemented by the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission (ZEST) project, on Pemba and Unguja islands, Tanzania. We used available data on project activities, resources used, and costs reported in the accounting information systems of ZEST partners. The costs were estimated for all the activities related to snail control, behavior change interventions, the impact assessment surveys, and management of the whole program. Costs are presented in US$ for the full duration of the ZEST project from 2011/2012 to 2017. The total financial costs of implementing snail control activities over 5 years, excluding the costs for donated Bayluscide, were US$55,796 on Pemba and US$73,581 on Unguja, mainly driven by personnel costs. The total financial costs of implementing behavior change activities were US$109,165 on Pemba and US$155,828 on Unguja, with costs for personnel accounting for 47% on Pemba and 69% on Unguja. Costs of implementing biannual mass drug administration refer to the estimated 2.4 million treatments provided on Pemba over 4 years (2013–2016), and do not include the costs of donated praziquantel. The total cost per provided treatment was, on average, US$0.21. This study showed the value of exploiting administrative data to estimate costs of major global health interventions. It also provides an evidence base for financial costs and main cost drivers of implementing multiple combinations of intervention sets that inform decisions regarding the feasibility and affordability of implementing schistosomiasis control and elimination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Fürst
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Fatma Kabole
- Neglected Diseases Program, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Mohammed I Khamis
- Neglected Diseases Program, Zanzibar Ministry of Health, Zanzibar, Tanzania
| | - Mussa A Omar
- Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, Tanzania
| | | | - Said M Ali
- Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, Tanzania
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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17
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Francetic I, Tediosi F, Salari P, de Savigny D. Going operational with health systems governance: supervision and incentives to health workers for increased quality of care in Tanzania. Health Policy Plan 2020; 34:ii77-ii92. [PMID: 31723971 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czz104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving the quality of care is increasingly recognized as a priority of health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Given the labour-intensive nature of healthcare interventions, quality of care largely depends upon the number, training and management of health workers involved in service delivery. Policies available to boost the performance of health workers-and thus the quality of healthcare-include regulation, incentives and supervision-all of which are typically included in quality improvement frameworks and policies. This was the case in Tanzania, where we assessed the role of selected quality improvement policies. To do so, we analysed data from a representative sample of Tanzanian government-managed health facilities, part of the 2014/15 Service Provision Assessment component of the Demographic and Health Survey. We constructed two healthcare quality indicators from data on patient visits: (1) compliance with Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) guidelines and (2) patient satisfaction. Using multilevel ordered logistic regression models, we estimated the associations between the outcomes and selected indicators of incentives and supervisory activity at health worker and health facility level. We did not identify any association for the different indicators of top-down supervision at facility and individual level, neither with IMCI compliance nor with patients' satisfaction. Bottom-up supervision, defined as meetings between community and health facility staff, was significantly associated with higher patient satisfaction. Financial incentives in the form of salary top-ups were positively associated with both IMCI compliance and patient satisfaction. Both housing allowances and government-subsidized housing were positively associated with our proxies of quality of care. Good healthcare quality is crucial for promoting health in Tanzania not only through direct outcomes of the process of care but also through increased care-seeking behaviour in the communities. The results of this study highlight the role of community involvement, better salary conditions and housing arrangements for health workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Francetic
- Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI), Via Violino 11, Manno, Switzerland.,Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Paola Salari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Don de Savigny
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, Basel, Switzerland.,University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel, Switzerland
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18
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Salari P, Fürst T, Knopp S, Utzinger J, Tediosi F. Cost of interventions to control schistosomiasis: A systematic review of the literature. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008098. [PMID: 32226008 PMCID: PMC7145200 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, a disease caused by blood flukes of the genus Schistosoma, belongs to the neglected tropical diseases. Left untreated, schistosomiasis can lead to severe health problems and even death. An estimated 800 million people are at risk of schistosomiasis and 250 million people are infected. The global strategy to control and eliminate schistosomiasis emphasizes large-scale preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel targeting school-age children. Other tools are available, such as information, education, and communication (IEC), improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), and snail control. Despite available evidence of the effectiveness of these control measures, analyses estimating the most cost-effective control or elimination strategies are scarce, inaccurate, and lack standardization. We systematically reviewed the literature on costs related to public health interventions against schistosomiasis to strengthen the current evidence-base. METHODOLOGY In adherence to the PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched three readily available electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, WHOLIS, and ISI Web of Science) from inception to April 2019 with no language restrictions. Relevant documents were screened, duplicates eliminated, specific rules on studies to consider were defined, and the eligible studies fully reviewed. Costs of schistosomiasis interventions were classified in three groups: (i) preventive chemotherapy; (ii) preventive chemotherapy plus an individual diagnostic test to identify at-risk population; and (iii) test-and-treat interventions. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Fifteen articles met our inclusion criteria. In general, it was hard to compare the reported costs from the different studies due to different approaches used to estimate and classify the costs of the intervention assessed. Costs varied considerably from one study to another, ranging from US$ 0.06 to US$ 4.46 per person treated. The difference between financial and opportunity costs only played a minimal role in the explanation of the costs' variation, even if delivery costs were two times higher in the analyses including economic costs. Most of the studies identified in our systematic review focused on sub-Saharan African countries. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The degree of transparency of most of the costing studies of schistosomiasis interventions found in the current review was limited. Hence, there is a pressing need for strategies to improve the quality of cost analyses, and higher reporting standards and transparency that should be fostered by peer-review journal policies. Cost information on these interventions is crucial to inform resource allocation decisions and those regarding the affordability of scaling-up interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Thomas Fürst
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Knopp
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Utzinger
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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19
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Ilinca S, Di Giorgio L, Salari P, Chuma J. Socio-economic inequality and inequity in use of health care services in Kenya: evidence from the fourth Kenya household health expenditure and utilization survey. Int J Equity Health 2019; 18:196. [PMID: 31849334 PMCID: PMC6918604 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-019-1106-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Kenya is experiencing persistently high levels of inequity in health and access to care services. In 2018, decades of sustained policy efforts to promote equitable, affordable and quality health services have culminated in the launch of a universal health coverage scheme, initially piloted in four Kenyan counties and planned for national rollout by 2022. Our study aims to contribute to monitoring and evaluation efforts alongside policy implementation, by establishing a detailed, baseline assessment of socio-economic inequality and inequity in health care utilization in Kenya shortly before the policy launch. Methods We use concentration curves and corrected concentration indexes to measure socio-economic inequality in care use and the horizontal inequity index as a measure of inequity in care utilization for three types of care services: outpatient care, inpatient care and preventive and promotive care. Further insights into the individual and household level characteristics that determine observed inequality are derived through decomposition analysis. Results We find significant inequality and inequity in the use of all types of care services favouring richer population groups, with particularly pronounced levels for preventive and inpatient care services. These are driven primarily by differences in living standards and educational achievement, while the region of residence is a key driver for inequality in preventive care use only. Pro-rich inequalities are particularly pronounced for care provided in privately owned facilities, while public providers serve a much larger share of individuals from lower socio-economic groups. Conclusions Through its focus on increasing affordability of care for all Kenyans, the newly launched universal health coverage scheme represents a crucial step towards reducing disparities in health care utilization. However in order to achieve equity in health and access to care such efforts must be paralleled by multi-sectoral approaches to address all key drivers of inequity: persistent poverty, disparities in living standards and educational achievement, as well as regional differences in availability and accessibility of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Ilinca
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. .,European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - Paola Salari
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Salari P, Di Giorgio L, Ilinca S, Chuma J. The catastrophic and impoverishing effects of out-of-pocket healthcare payments in Kenya, 2018. BMJ Glob Health 2019. [PMID: 31803510 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh‐2019‐001809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Progress towards effective service coverage and financial protection-the two dimensions of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)-has been limited in Kenya in the last decade. The government of Kenya has embarked on a highly ambitious reform programme currently being piloted in four Kenyan counties and aiming at national rollout by 2022. This study provides an updated assessment of the performance of the Kenyan health system in terms of financial protection allowing to monitor trends over time. In light of the UHC initiative, the study provides a baseline to assess the impact of the UHC pilot programme and inform scale-up plans. It also investigates household characteristics associated with catastrophic payments. Methods Using data from the Kenya Household Health Expenditure and Utilization Survey (KHHEUS) 2018, we investigated the incidence and intensity of catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditure. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess households' characteristics associated with the probability of incurring catastrophic health expenditures. Results The results show that the incidence of catastrophic payments is more severe for the poorest households and in the rural areas and mainly due to outpatient services. Results for the impoverishing effect suggest that after accounting for out-of-pocket(OOP) payments, the proportion of poor people increases by 2.2 percentage points in both rural and urban areas. Thus, between 1 and 1.1 million individuals are pushed into poverty due to OOP payments. Among the characteristics associated with the probability of incurring OOP expenditures, socioeconomic conditions, the presence of elderly and of people affected by chronic conditions showed significant results. Conclusion Kenya is still lagging behind in terms of protecting its citizens against financial risks associated with ill health and healthcare seeking behaviour. More effort is needed to protect the most vulnerable population groups from the high costs of illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefania Ilinca
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jane Chuma
- The World Bank, Kenya Country Office, Nairobi, Kenya
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Salari P, Di Giorgio L, Ilinca S, Chuma J. The catastrophic and impoverishing effects of out-of-pocket healthcare payments in Kenya, 2018. BMJ Glob Health 2019; 4:e001809. [PMID: 31803510 PMCID: PMC6882550 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2019] [Revised: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Progress towards effective service coverage and financial protection-the two dimensions of Universal Health Coverage (UHC)-has been limited in Kenya in the last decade. The government of Kenya has embarked on a highly ambitious reform programme currently being piloted in four Kenyan counties and aiming at national rollout by 2022. This study provides an updated assessment of the performance of the Kenyan health system in terms of financial protection allowing to monitor trends over time. In light of the UHC initiative, the study provides a baseline to assess the impact of the UHC pilot programme and inform scale-up plans. It also investigates household characteristics associated with catastrophic payments. METHODS Using data from the Kenya Household Health Expenditure and Utilization Survey (KHHEUS) 2018, we investigated the incidence and intensity of catastrophic and impoverishing health expenditure. We used a logistic regression analysis to assess households' characteristics associated with the probability of incurring catastrophic health expenditures. RESULTS The results show that the incidence of catastrophic payments is more severe for the poorest households and in the rural areas and mainly due to outpatient services. Results for the impoverishing effect suggest that after accounting for out-of-pocket(OOP) payments, the proportion of poor people increases by 2.2 percentage points in both rural and urban areas. Thus, between 1 and 1.1 million individuals are pushed into poverty due to OOP payments. Among the characteristics associated with the probability of incurring OOP expenditures, socioeconomic conditions, the presence of elderly and of people affected by chronic conditions showed significant results. CONCLUSION Kenya is still lagging behind in terms of protecting its citizens against financial risks associated with ill health and healthcare seeking behaviour. More effort is needed to protect the most vulnerable population groups from the high costs of illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Medicine (ECPM), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefania Ilinca
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jane Chuma
- The World Bank, Kenya Country Office, Nairobi, Kenya
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Salari P, Akweongo P, Aikins M, Tediosi F. Determinants of health insurance enrolment in Ghana: evidence from three national household surveys. Health Policy Plan 2019; 34:582-594. [PMID: 31435674 PMCID: PMC6794569 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2003, Ghana implemented a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to move towards Universal Health Coverage. NHIS enrolment is mandatory for all Ghanaians, but the most recent estimates show that coverage stands under 40%. The evidence on the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and NHIS enrolment is mixed, and comes mainly from studies conducted in a few areas. Therefore, in this study we investigate the socio-economic determinants of NHIS enrolment using three recent national household surveys. We used data from the Ghanaian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2014, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted in 2011 and the sixth wave of the Ghana Living Standard Survey conducted in 2012-13. Given the multilevel nature of the three databases, we use multilevel logistic regression models to estimate the probability of enrolment for women and men separately. We used three levels of analysis: geographical clusters, household and individual units. We found that education, wealth, marital status-and to some extent-age were positively associated with enrolment. Furthermore, we found that enrolment was correlated with the type of occupation. The analyses of three national household surveys highlight the challenges of understanding the complex dynamics of factors contributing to low NHIS enrolment rates. The results indicate that current policies aimed at identifying and subsidizing underprivileged population groups might insufficiently encourage health insurance enrolment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Salari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Akweongo
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Moses Aikins
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Socinstrasse 57, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Nsiah-Boateng E, Nonvignon J, Aryeetey GC, Salari P, Tediosi F, Akweongo P, Aikins M. Sociodemographic determinants of health insurance enrolment and dropout in urban district of Ghana: a cross-sectional study. Health Econ Rev 2019; 9:23. [PMID: 31280394 PMCID: PMC6734452 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-019-0241-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Earlier studies have found significant associations between sociodemographic factors and enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana. These studies were mainly household surveys in relatively rural areas with high incidence of poverty. To expand the scope of existing evidence, this paper examines policy design factors associated with enrolment and dropout of the scheme in an urban poor district using routine secondary data. METHODS This study is a cross-sectional quantitative analysis of 2014-2016 NHIS enrolment data of the Ashiedu Keteke district office. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine sociodemographic factors associated with NHIS enrolment and dropout. RESULTS A total of 215,724 individuals enrolled in the NHIS over the period under study, of which 98,232 (46%) were new members. About 41% of existing members in 2014 dropped out of the NHIS in 2015 and 53% of those in 2015 dropped out in 2016. The indigents (core poor) are significantly more likely to enrol and to drop out of the NHIS. However, the males, informal sector employees, social security and national insurance trust (SSNIT) contributors, and the aged (70+ years) are significantly less likely to enrol in the NHIS but more likely to retain coverage. CONCLUSIONS A considerable number of members are dropping out of the NHIS. The indigents in particular, are increasingly enrolling in and dropping out of the NHIS whilst the males, informal sector employees, SSNIT contributors and the aged are not enrolling as expected but increasingly retaining coverage. Policy reforms to ensuring continued growth towards realization of universal health coverage should take these factors into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Nsiah-Boateng
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- Research, Policy, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate, National Health Insurance Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - Justice Nonvignon
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Paola Salari
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Akweongo
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Moses Aikins
- School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Abstract
This paper evaluates the causal effect of environmental tobacco exposure on health by exploiting the time and geographical variation in public-place smoking bans implemented in Switzerland between 2007 and 2011. We use administrative data on hospitalizations for acute myocardial infarction, which allow to measure the short-run effects of the policy on an objective metric of health. We show that the incidence of acute myocardial infarction decreases by approximately 8% immediately after implementation of the law with large heterogeneity across regions. Our results indicate that the policy was effective in reducing the negative externality of smoking with potential spillovers on health inequality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Mazzonna
- Universitá della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
- MEA, Munich, Germany
| | - Paola Salari
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Fürst T, Salari P, Llamas LM, Steinmann P, Fitzpatrick C, Tediosi F. Global health policy and neglected tropical diseases: Then, now, and in the years to come. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005759. [PMID: 28910281 PMCID: PMC5598928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Fürst
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Paola Salari
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Steinmann
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Swiss Centre for International Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Fitzpatrick
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio Tediosi
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Crivelli L, Salari P. The inequity of the Swiss Health Care system financing from a federal state perspective. Int J Equity Health 2014; 13:17. [PMID: 24524216 PMCID: PMC3926944 DOI: 10.1186/1475-9276-13-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Previous studies have shown that Swiss health-care financing is particularly regressive. However, as it has been emphasized in the 2011 OECD Review of the Swiss Health System, the inter cantonal variations of income-related inequities are still broadly unexplored. The present paper aims to fill this gap by analyzing the differences in the level of equity of health-care system financing across cantons and its evolution over time using household data. Methods Following the methodology proposed by Wagstaff et al. (JHE 11:361–387, 1992) we use the Kakwani index as a summary measure of regressivity and we compute it for each canton and for each of the sources that have a role in financing the health care system. We graphed concentration curves and performed relative dominance tests, which utilize the full distribution of expenditures. The microdata come from the Swiss Household Income and Expenditure Survey (SHIES) based on a sample of the Swiss population (about 3500 households per year), for the years 1998 - 2005. Results The empirical evidence confirms that the health-care financing in Switzerland has remained regressive since the major reform of 1996 and shows that the variations in equity across cantons are quite significant: the difference between the most and the least regressive canton is about the same as between two extremely different financing systems like the US and Sweden. There is no evidence, instead, of a clear evolution over time of regressivity. Conclusions The significant variation in equity across cantons can be explained by fiscal federalism and the related autonomy in the design of tax and social policies. In particular, the results highlight that earmarked subsidies, the policy adopted to smooth the regressivity of the premiums, appear to be not enough; in the practice of federal states the combination of allowances with mandatory community-rated health insurance premiums might lead to a modest outcome in terms of equity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Salari
- Department of Economics, Università della Svizzera Italiana (USI), Via Buffi 13, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.
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Crivelli L, Salari P. The Impact of Federalism on the Healthcare System in Terms of Efficiency, Equity, and Cost Containment: The Case of Switzerland. Developments in Health Economics and Public Policy 2014; 12:155-78. [DOI: 10.1007/978-88-470-5480-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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28
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Parsapoor AR, Salari P, Larijani B. Implementation of Patient's Rights Charter: a Report from Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Iran. Iran J Public Health 2013; 42:9-12. [PMID: 23865009 PMCID: PMC3712606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
At the aim of explaining the rights of health care recipients and upgrading ethical observance in the field of treatment-the most important field of health care-, the Patient's Rights Charter was declared by Ministry of Health and Medical Education to all medical universities in September 2009. This paper provides a report of strategic planning for implementation of Patient's Rights Charter and a summary of other projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Parsapoor
- Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - P Salari
- Medical Ethics and History of Medicine Research Center, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - B Larijani
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute and Medical Ethics and History of medicine Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Corresponding Author: Tel: +9821-66953832
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Salari P, Mojtahedzadeh M, Najafi A, Sadraie S, Bahaadini K, Moharreri M, Hadavand N, Abdollahi M. Comparison of the effect of aminophylline and low PEEP vs. high PEEP on EGF concentration in critically ill patients with ALI/ARDS. J Clin Pharm Ther 2005; 30:139-44. [PMID: 15811166 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2004.00621.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a serious, often fatal, condition, despite progress in modern critical care treatment. Cytokines play important roles in the pathogenesis of the syndrome, although their roles in the evaluation and outcome have not been clearly elucidated yet. OBJECTIVES We tested whether serum concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF), as one of the important inflammatory mediators, changes with time and administration of mechanical ventilation and aminophylline. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty patients [mean (SD): age = 56.6 (17.4) years] with ARDS were enrolled. After diagnosis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, the patients were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Two hours after ventilation with definite positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), aminophylline with a specific dose was started. Serum samples were obtained at five time points of 0, 2, 2.5, 4 and 8 h post-starting PEEP. RESULTS Serum EGF concentration decreased after mechanical ventilation with PEEP (P < 0.05). The serum EGF concentrations 8 h after intervention was statistically lower in the low PEEP group than in the high PEEP group. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) Pi score and PaO2/FiO2 improved significantly after 8 h (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Beneficial effects of mechanical ventilation and aminophylline on APACHE Pi score and PaO2/FiO2 influence serum EGF levels. These findings may have relevance to the development of multisystem organ failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Salari
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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