THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS PRESENTING WITH PNEUMONIA AT KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL, KUMASI, GHANA

Objective: Pneumonia is a leading cause of hospital admission among children less than five years in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also associated with considerable economic cost to the households affected. This study sought to quantitatively measure the economic burden of households with children less than 5 years admitted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) on account of pneumonia. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving children less than 5 years admitted to the KATH for pneumonia. A consecutive sampling technique was used to select 157 eligible participants from the Paediatric Ward of KATH from June to August 2016. A structured questionnaire and data abstraction form was used to collect primary and secondary data respectively. We applied point (median) and interval estimation (interquartile range) on the various cost components (Pre-admission cost, direct cost and indirect costs). Estimates of the disability adjusted life years (DALY) was done using the prevalence-based approach. Results: The median preadmission cost was estimated at GH₵ 70 [US$ 18] ranging from GH₵ 5(US$ 1) to GH₵ 600 (US$ 154). Households spends an average of GH₵ 600 (US$ 154) (IQR: GH₵ 387.68 [US$ 99], GH₵ 778 [US$ 199] in treating an episode of childhood pneumonia in Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The median direct non-medical cost was GH₵ 60 (US$ 15). The median indirect cost was GH₵ 165 (US$ 42). The median DALY recorded was 1,253.476 YLL. Conclusion: Pneumonia poses economic burden on households whose children are affected considering their low socio-economic status.