Retrospective study on cost distribution of antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary care hospital.
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Date
2015-09
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Abstract
Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is an RNA virus. The first case of AIDS in
human beings was reported in 1981, and now spread of HIV infection is alarmingly
high with around 20 million deaths. The objective of the study was to determine the
cost distribution of antiretroviral therapy among autoimmune deficiency syndrome
(AIDS) patient attending the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) center of the tertiary
care center.
Methods: The objective of the study was to determine the cost distribution of
antiretroviral therapy among AIDS patient attending the ART center of the tertiary
care center. The study was retrospective, 20 patients included in different age groups
and categories the cost incurred toward patients were divided under different heads:
medication, laboratory diagnosis, transport, and miscellaneous costs.
Results: It was found that major part of the cost is spent on drugs. The cost of transport
and lab diagnosis varied based on age and stage of the disease. Miscellaneous costs
were also high and were proportional to other costs.
Conclusion: HIV infected population is more likely to have a lower socioeconomic
status which has varied effect on the effectiveness of highly active ART. Some of the
problems faced by them are access to health care, transport, economic instability, etc.
all these factors have an impact on outcome of treatment. Overall it can be found that
preventive measure than treating has better impact on quality of life.
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Keywords
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Human immunodeficiency virus, Highly active antiretroviral therapy, Cost, Retrospective
Citation
Revankar Shreenivas P, Vedavathi H. Retrospective study on cost distribution of antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary care hospital. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology. 2015 Sep-Oct; 4(5): 951-955.