Estimation of Out-of-Pocket and Catastrophic Expenditures among Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases in Khuzestan

The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed special emphasis on the protection of families against the costs of health services. Patients suffer not only from the burden of a disease, but also from the burden of their health costs. The aim of this study was to estimate out-of-pocket costs and to identify the factors that affect catastrophic expenditures among patients with cardiovascular diseases in Khuzestan Province.
In this descriptive-analytic study, 100 cardiovascular patients having referred to educational hospitals in Ahwaz, Khuzestan Province, were considered. Out-of-pocket costs were estimated and using Econometrics Logit model, factors affecting catastrophic expenditures among households were identified. All analyses were performed using SPSS and Stata.
The average out-of-pocket cost was 16,008,936 rials per patient during one year. Also, 55% of patients faced with catastrophic expenditures. Income level and family size had a significant negative impact; however, patients’ employment status had a positive but insignificant effect on catastrophic expenditures.
Hospital inpatient expenses and drug costs cover most of out-of-pocket expenditures and should be considered by policymakers. By increasing the income level and family size, families will encounter catastrophic expenditures less. The out-of-pocket costs among patients with cardiovascular diseases can be reduced by boosting the insurance coverage and government help.