204806 Trend in treatment cost for cold/influenza in China during 1989-2006: An analysis of China Health and Nutrition Survey

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 11:00 AM

Jinan Liu, MHA , Health Systems Management, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Lizheng Shi, PhD , Health Systems Management, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
M. Mahmud Khan, PhD , Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
  
Backgrounds: Influenza is associated with a significant economic burden on both society and individuals, leading to considerable healthcare costs and loss of productivity.

Objectives: To examine trends of direct economic burden of cold/influenza on individuals going to different facilities for treatment during 1989-2006.

Methods: Data used are from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) conducted among almost the same 4,400 households in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2006. The treatment cost and household income per capita were both inflated to 2006. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the changes in treatment cost of cold/influenza (Mean ± SD) and the ratio of cost to household income (Median) across facilities of different levels over time Order least square (OLS) regression was employed to determine factors associated with the treatment cost.

Results: (1) The cost constantly raised from 11.92 ± 11.34 RMB in 1989 to 50.75 ± 70.32 RMB in 2006. While treatment cost 17.79 ± 27.41 RMB in village clinic, the regression found it cost 18.15% (P<0.001, 95% CI: 13.76%-22.55%) less in private clinic; 50.02% (P<0.001, 95% CI: 46.68%-53.36%) more in township hospital; 75.13% (P<0.001, 95% CI: 71.26%-79.00%) more in county hospital; 115.17% (P<0.001, 95% CI: 111.47%-118.86%) more in city hospital. (2) The ratio to household income per capita only increased from 0.44% in 1989 to 0.60% in 2006. It was .36% in private clinic or hospital, followed by .38% in village clinic, .49% in other facilities, .61% in township hospital, .62% in county hospital, .77% in city hospital.

Conclusions: (1) The cost for cold/influenza treatment in China tends to rise over time. (2) The direct economic burden of cold/influenza on individual does not rise considerably over time, given the increase in household income during the same time period. (3) The higher-level facilities are more likely to charge a higher fee.

Policy implication: While acute care for ailments such as cold/influenza does not show a substantial impact on family burden, more attention should be drawn to the chronic illness.

Key words: cost, disease burden, cold/influenza, China

Learning Objectives:
This study aimed to examine trends of direct economic burden of cold/influenza on individuals going to different facilities for treatment during 1989-2006.

Keywords: Cost Issues, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Doctoral student, Health System Management, Tulane University. Master degree of Health Administration, Shandong University, China. Abstract titled Changes in waiting time for health care service during 1991-2006, China in China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) was accepted by iHEA 2009 as oral presentation. Jinan Liu,Lingzhong Xu, Xiuling Cao et al. Analysis of satisfaction about new cooperative medical scheme and its influencing factors in Weihai, China, Health Policy, volume 86, issue 2 pp 239-244. doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2007.10.010
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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