The economic impact of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Baringo, Kenya
Date
2012-06
Authors
Bolo, Simon
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The main objective of the study was to examine the economic impact of Visceral
Leishmaniasis (VL) on households (HHs) in Baringo. VL is a deadly parasitic disease
transmitted by the bite of a sand fly. The study population comprised all the 108 VL
patients in Baringo who had been diagnosed and treated for VL in the past one year at
the two District Hospitals. Out of this a representative random sample of 84 was
calculated using the Creative Research Online sample calculator. Questionnaires were
used to collect data from 30 HHs. Data collected from the survey was analyzed using
mainly descriptive methods such as percentages and frequencies. Findings indicate
that a single VL episode costs about Kshs. 31,200 (USD.390, at exchange rate of 80)
which is triple the average household monthly income for the affected HHs or 1.6
times their annual per capita income. These costs are beyond the reach of majority
poor households, 70% living in the first two poorest quintiles, and they are forced to
employ a combination of coping strategies including asset sales, reliance on
community support, spending family savings or borrowing. In most cases, patients
could still not meet the cost of VL treatment even after exhausting available coping
strategies. Comparisons of cost lines indicate that short-term direct costs outweigh
short-term indirect costs. However, in the long-run, there are chances that the indirect
costs may be much higher than direct costs especially where the patient is
incapacitated and is not able to work again. The cost of drugs was the main cost
driver, accounting for about 70-80 % of the entire cost. It is concluded that the
economic burden of caring for VL and the subsequent stripping and compromise of
coping mechanisms can institute a vicious cycle of poverty in a household and may
undermine sustainable development of endemic communities. It is recommended that
VL disease control programs need to adopt novel mechanisms to fast track VL
patients reach competent diagnostic facilities more rapidly and receive medical
attention without compromising livelihood and food security of their HH. The
National Hospital insurance Fund (NHIF) should also enhance customer enrollment as
the current health insurance uptake is almost nil among the communities residing in
this part of the country. These support systems are necessary if the country has to
sustain long-term health, welfare and sustainable development of the endemic
community and indeed achieve the economic and health aspirations in our economic
blue print, the Vision 2030.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master Of Business
Administration at Strathmore University
Keywords
Visceral Leishmaniasis, Economy, Baringo, Kenya