Trauma Care in Public and Private Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Observational Study
2022
This study examines the financial risks associated with seeking trauma care for road traffic injuries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Conducting a cross-sectional survey from December 2018 to February 2019 in three public and one private hospital, the research analyzes out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures related to trauma care. Data from 452 trauma cases are collected, encompassing both medical and non-medical costs. Catastrophic health expenditures, defined as OOP health expenditures exceeding 10% of total household expenditures, are assessed, alongside the impoverishment effect using the international poverty line. Results indicate that seeking trauma care leads to catastrophic health expenditures for 67% of households, with 24% pushed below the poverty line. On average, medical OOP expenditures per patient are $256 for outpatient visits and $690 for inpatient visits. Costs are notably higher in private hospitals, with OOP expenditures six times greater than in public hospitals. Transport and caregiver expenses emerge as significant cost drivers. The study underscores the urgent need for stronger financial risk protection mechanisms and recommends multisectoral interventions to prevent road traffic injuries and implement universal public finance for trauma care in Ethiopia.
Source:
Dhufera HT, Jbaily A, Verguet S et al. Financial Risk of Road Traffic Trauma Care in Public and Private Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study. Injury 2022; 53: 23-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2021.11.009