Measuring Financial Protection in Hospitalized Patients after the Health Sector Evolution Plan in Iran

Abstract

Background: Protecting people from catastrophic health payments is widely recognized as an integral component of health systems and universal health coverage. Objectives: This study aimed to measure the financial protection against catastrophic health expenditure among hospitalized patients in Kermanshah, western Iran, after the implementation of the health sector evolution plan of Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 544 patients were selected using the proportional allocation to population size technique. A translated version of the world health survey questionnaire was used to collect data. Catastrophic health expenditure was calculated using WHO recommended methodology. Data were analyzed using STATA v.13. The statistical test performed included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: About 4.8% of households with hospitalized patients were faced with catastrophic health expenditures. The total mean out-of-pocket (OOP) medical expenditures of being hospitalized was 819,220 Rials per patient. Mean OOP in patients with catastrophic payment was 2,220,500 Rial. Major determinants of catastrophic payment were associated with surgical cost (OR: 8.09 P Value = 0.000), chronic disease (OR: 2.78 P Value = 0.025), household size (> 6) (OR: 6.70 P Value < 0.036), and economic status of households (Quintile 5; OR: 0.005 P Value = 0.000). Conclusions: The Health Sector Evolution Plan should target and extend aids especially for chronically ill patients, those who need surgery, and those at poorest quintile due to the fact that they are more vulnerable to catastrophic health expenditure. These groups should be the priorities in the health sector evolution plan revision to achieve a more desired outcome.