Healthcare utilization patterns and economic burden of animal bites: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the healthcare utilization patterns and estimate the economic burden of animal bites in Golestan province, north part of Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of 12 181 animal-bite patients from Golestan province who were referred to the rabies prophylaxis centers between March 2019 and March 2020. The study was a societal perspective, and all patients were investigated by census method. The micro-costing method with a bottom-up approach as well as the human capital approach were used to estimate the economic burden.Results: In our study, the economic burden caused by animal bites was estimated at $1 383 639 (275 354 672 060 Rials). The largest share of costs was related to direct healthcare costs, direct non-healthcare costs, and indirect costs accouting for 91%, 5%, and 4%, respectively. In addition, the average cost of a animal-bite patient was estimated at $113.5 (22 605 260 Rials) (The average cost of a case in type 2 and 3 exposures was $45 and $412.8, respectively). The largest share of direct healthcare costs was related to immunoglobulin, vaccine, and personnel expenses accounting for 61.3%, 19.8%, and 11.65%, respectively.Conclusions: Our study shows that animal bites in Golestan province, north of Iran impose a high economic burden on the communities, especially the healthcare system, which indicates the need to review management and control programs of animal bites and rabies based on animal-bite patterns of the area.