Economic burden on households with people with non-communicable diseases, with special reference to cancer: priorities for policy options pertaining to the Sri Lankan context
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2016
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b197610
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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Jayasinghe, Rajapaksha Pathirathnage Chamarie Kanchana (2016). Economic burden on households with people with non-communicable diseases, with special reference to cancer: priorities for policy options pertaining to the Sri Lankan context. Retrieved from: https://repository.nida.ac.th/handle/662723737/5764.
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Economic burden on households with people with non-communicable diseases, with special reference to cancer: priorities for policy options pertaining to the Sri Lankan context
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Abstract
Non-communicable diseases have become a major threat to Sri Lanka as well
as all developing and developed countries. Though the government provides all health
facilities free of charge at public hospitals, people have to bear the out-of-pocket
expenditure. The expenditure compared to other diseases is double the burden from
non-communicable diseases
Based on a literature review, it was found that there is a lack of studies on the economic burden on households with individuals with non-communicable diseases, with specific reference to cancer in Sri Lanka. This study has focused on assessing the economic burden on households. In addition it has tried to identify the determinants effect of the economic burden on households. This study focuses on the demographic, economic, and disease characteristics of patients. Identifying the major effects of cancer is helpful for prioritizing policy options in order to reduce the burden on households. Furthermore, the analysis is concerned with the challenges faced by patients in order to provide better policy options. Finally, based on the findings it prioritizes policy options.
Primary data were collected from a semi-structured questionnaire. After the pilot study, 400 respondents were selected using the stratified sampling method. The mixed method mainly, focused on the quantitative method, was adopted for the study. Qualitative analysis was used to triangulate the quantitative findings.
Both bivariate and multivariate analyses confirmed the same findings; some null hypotheses were rejected and some were not. Gender, distance, income, types of cancer, severity of disease, and period of suffering are significant effects in terms of the economic burden on households with cancer patients. Further, sources of financing are significant regarding the economic burden and in terms of direct cost and indirect costs as well.
It was found that there are many challenges faced by the respondents, and high opportunity costs in obtaining government allowances led the respondents not to apply or use the allowance. Some people have lack of information about sources of financing and health issues. The findings of the study provide priorities that can helpful for decision-makers in creating policy options to reduce the economic burden on households. Since direct costs have become higher compared to other types of costs, and it is necessary to focus on direct medical costs, travel costs, and the cost of special foods in order to reduce the burden. Both direct medical costs and travel costs can be reduced by a more fair distribution of resources to the nearest hospital and by facilitating easy accessibility for patients. One option is to reform the present system of allowing medical or sick leaves for patients. The introduction of special insurance schemes for the self-employed sector would be useful for self-employed patients that would suffer from non-communicable diseases. Beginning the treatment process at the earliest possible stage could reduce a huge burden at later stages for both affected households and the government. Therefore, it is necessary to have continuous awareness campaigns in all corners of Sri Lanka, reaching all the people. In addition, free periodical cancer screening tests could help early detection and treatment, which could either eliminate or reduce the burden on households in the country as a whole
This study contributes both theoretically and practically, and as well as shows some of the unchartered areas for future research. The study shows the relationship between the determinants and economic burden on households. The practical contribution is comprised of suggestions regarding policy options to the government, highlighting priorities to be considered and the selection of cost-effective policy options amongst them. There are some other aspects that have not come under the scope of the study. The social costs for the households could affect them, and this is a very important area for future research. Proper qualitative analysis also can be carried out in future research.
Based on a literature review, it was found that there is a lack of studies on the economic burden on households with individuals with non-communicable diseases, with specific reference to cancer in Sri Lanka. This study has focused on assessing the economic burden on households. In addition it has tried to identify the determinants effect of the economic burden on households. This study focuses on the demographic, economic, and disease characteristics of patients. Identifying the major effects of cancer is helpful for prioritizing policy options in order to reduce the burden on households. Furthermore, the analysis is concerned with the challenges faced by patients in order to provide better policy options. Finally, based on the findings it prioritizes policy options.
Primary data were collected from a semi-structured questionnaire. After the pilot study, 400 respondents were selected using the stratified sampling method. The mixed method mainly, focused on the quantitative method, was adopted for the study. Qualitative analysis was used to triangulate the quantitative findings.
Both bivariate and multivariate analyses confirmed the same findings; some null hypotheses were rejected and some were not. Gender, distance, income, types of cancer, severity of disease, and period of suffering are significant effects in terms of the economic burden on households with cancer patients. Further, sources of financing are significant regarding the economic burden and in terms of direct cost and indirect costs as well.
It was found that there are many challenges faced by the respondents, and high opportunity costs in obtaining government allowances led the respondents not to apply or use the allowance. Some people have lack of information about sources of financing and health issues. The findings of the study provide priorities that can helpful for decision-makers in creating policy options to reduce the economic burden on households. Since direct costs have become higher compared to other types of costs, and it is necessary to focus on direct medical costs, travel costs, and the cost of special foods in order to reduce the burden. Both direct medical costs and travel costs can be reduced by a more fair distribution of resources to the nearest hospital and by facilitating easy accessibility for patients. One option is to reform the present system of allowing medical or sick leaves for patients. The introduction of special insurance schemes for the self-employed sector would be useful for self-employed patients that would suffer from non-communicable diseases. Beginning the treatment process at the earliest possible stage could reduce a huge burden at later stages for both affected households and the government. Therefore, it is necessary to have continuous awareness campaigns in all corners of Sri Lanka, reaching all the people. In addition, free periodical cancer screening tests could help early detection and treatment, which could either eliminate or reduce the burden on households in the country as a whole
This study contributes both theoretically and practically, and as well as shows some of the unchartered areas for future research. The study shows the relationship between the determinants and economic burden on households. The practical contribution is comprised of suggestions regarding policy options to the government, highlighting priorities to be considered and the selection of cost-effective policy options amongst them. There are some other aspects that have not come under the scope of the study. The social costs for the households could affect them, and this is a very important area for future research. Proper qualitative analysis also can be carried out in future research.
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Thesis (Ph.D. (Development Administration))--National Institute of Development Administration, 2016