Cost-Benefit Analysis of Treatment of Depressed Patients in Health System of Kurdistan Province in 1993

Insersion of mental health services into primary health care (PHC) in our country neccesssitates to attent economical aspects of this program. This study was aimed to evaluate economical effects of the insersion program in treatment of depressed patients in Kurdistan province. Fifty seven depressed patients from population under the coverage of mental health program that had been inserted in PHC (case group) were compared with 60 depressed patients who had not been inserted in PHC (control group) These two methods of treatment as independent variables were evaluated with dependent variables including cost, benefit (economic consequences of increasing working hours and decreasing patient`s care by their family), outpatient referrals and days of admission by cost-benefit analysis. Data was collected by questionaire, interview with the patient`s family and studing the patient`s files. Mean of referral times was more in case group as compared with control group (P<0.001). Mean of yearly cost of every patient in case group was more than control group and mean of benefit in case group was more than control group (P=0.000). Analysis of results of this study reveals insersion of mental health program into PHC has caused to be increased outpatient referrals of depressed patients, decreased cost and increased benefits.