Cost of Illness of Malaria in Coastal Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: Malaria is one of the major health issues in developing and underdeveloped countries. It is considered to be one of the main reasons for morbidity and mortality. This study intends to estimate the cost of illness of malaria at the household level and health service utilisation pattern for malaria treatment in coastal Karnataka. Materials and Methods: It was a secondary data-based cross-sectional study comprising people suffering from malaria during the period from September to December 2016. Result: The median gross total cost of illness (a single episode of malaria) was 4,000 INR, the median direct medical cost was zero, and the median direct non-medical cost was 100 INR. The majority of individuals (92.2%) took treatment from public healthcare sectors. Conclusion: The effective implementation of anti-malarial interventions by the District Health Authority, District Vector Borne Disease Control Office, and treatment from public health sectors resulted in negligible direct medical cost which made a remarkable reduction in the cost of illness of malaria.