Objective:To determine the healthcare utilization patterns and estimate the economic burden of animal bites in Golestan province,north part of Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of...Objective:To determine the healthcare utilization patterns and estimate the economic burden of animal bites in Golestan province,north part of Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of 12181 animal-bite patients from Golestan province who were referred to the rabies prophylaxis centers between March 2019 and March 2020.The study was a societal perspective,and all patients were investigated by census method.The micro-costing method with a bottom-up approach as well as the human capital approach were used to estimate the economic burden.Results:In our study,the economic burden caused by animal bites was estimated at$1383639(275354672060 Rials).The largest share of costs was related to direct healthcare costs,direct non-healthcare costs,and indirect costs accouting for 91%,5%,and 4%,respectively.In addition,the average cost of a animal-bite patient was estimated at$113.5(22605260 Rials)(The average cost of a case in type 2 and 3 exposures was$45 and$412.8,respectively).The largest share of direct healthcare costs was related to immunoglobulin,vaccine,and personnel expenses accounting for 61.3%,19.8%,and 11.65%,respectively.Conclusions:Our study shows that animal bites in Golestan province,north of Iran impose a high economic burden on the communities,especially the healthcare system,which indicates the need to review management and control programs of animal bites and rabies based on animal-bite patterns of the area.展开更多
文摘Objective:To determine the healthcare utilization patterns and estimate the economic burden of animal bites in Golestan province,north part of Iran.Methods:This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of 12181 animal-bite patients from Golestan province who were referred to the rabies prophylaxis centers between March 2019 and March 2020.The study was a societal perspective,and all patients were investigated by census method.The micro-costing method with a bottom-up approach as well as the human capital approach were used to estimate the economic burden.Results:In our study,the economic burden caused by animal bites was estimated at$1383639(275354672060 Rials).The largest share of costs was related to direct healthcare costs,direct non-healthcare costs,and indirect costs accouting for 91%,5%,and 4%,respectively.In addition,the average cost of a animal-bite patient was estimated at$113.5(22605260 Rials)(The average cost of a case in type 2 and 3 exposures was$45 and$412.8,respectively).The largest share of direct healthcare costs was related to immunoglobulin,vaccine,and personnel expenses accounting for 61.3%,19.8%,and 11.65%,respectively.Conclusions:Our study shows that animal bites in Golestan province,north of Iran impose a high economic burden on the communities,especially the healthcare system,which indicates the need to review management and control programs of animal bites and rabies based on animal-bite patterns of the area.
