Health expenditure among the outpatient of type-2 diabetes in selected hospital of Kathmandu district: A cross sectional study

Introduction Out of Pocket (OOP) expenditure is the dominant financing mechanism in the low and middle-income countries. In these countries the prevalence of diabetes has been rising more rapidly which can lead to various micro-vascular complications thus increasing the risk of dying prematurely. Methods A cross-sectional - comparative and hospital-based study was carried out in which OOP expenditure of diabetic patient treating in public and private hospital was compared. A total of 154 diabetic patients i.e.77 in each type of hospitals were selected purposively in consultation with attending physician and staffs. Face to face interview was done to diabetic patient with a minimum of one year of illness using structured questionnaire. Lorentz curve and concentration curve were prepared using income and expenditure of the patients. Result Among154 patients, 97.4% patients had paid out of pocket for the treatment of diabetes. Mean direct cost per month was NRs. 7312.17 in public and NRs. 10125.31 in private hospital. Direct medical cost had higher share in total direct cost i.e. 60.5% in public and 69.3 % in private hospital. Medicine cost had higher percentage share (50.9%) in public hospital and laboratory cost had higher percentage share (68%) in private hospital. Conclusion Direct medical cost was higher in private hospital as compared to public hospital. All the income groups have to pay similar amount of money for the treatment i.e. economic burden for the treatment of disease was found higher for the poor people as there was not any financial protection mechanism.