Authors : Md. Shahin Mia, Rawshan Ara Begum, A.C. Er and Joy Jacqueline Pereira
Abstract: Dengue infection has become an important and serious public health concern in Malaysia during the past few decades. The disease is predominant in urban areas where majority of the country’s total population resides. However, there is limited research in assessing financial burden of the disease on household in the country. The aim of this study is to quantify financial losses faced by the households due to dengue infection in Seremban district, Malaysia. The study conducted a survey based on personal (i.e., face to face) interview to obtain primary data. A total of 120 dengue patients registered at the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital in Seremban were interviewed by using a standardized questionnaire. The findings revealed that the age-specific incidence rate was highest (25.1%) among the young adult group (i.e., 16-25 years of age) indicating that they are the most vulnerable group to dengue infection. The study found that households spend every month, on average, USD3.92 (MYR12.33) to buy preventive products such as insecticides aerosol spray, mosquito repellent, mosquito coils, mats, etc. Expenses on insecticides aerosol spray constitute the greatest portion (nearly 62%) of the total monthly expenditure for preventive measures. The household’s total average cost of treatment per dengue case was estimated at USD37.26 (MYR118.00). The analyses revealed that 24.10% of the total cost for treatment is attributed to the cost for medical care (USD8.98) which includes expenses on consultation with doctors, diagnosis and medicines. On the other hand, non-medical expenses (i.e., transportation, food, drinks and so on) represent the largest share (nearly 76%) of the total treatment cost. Findings of the study suggest that a single episode of dengue places sizeable financial burden to household, especially in terms of treatment cost. Estimates of costs of dengue at household level are crucial to inform policy-makers about financial burden of the disease and may assist in implementing more effective control strategies to minimize the ongoing burden of the disease in the country.
Md. Shahin Mia, Rawshan Ara Begum, A.C. Er and Joy Jacqueline Pereira, 2016. Financial Burden of Dengue on Household: An Empirical Study in Seremban District, Malaysia. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 11: 772-775.