Economic impact of a vaccine preventable disease: a scoping review on tuberculosis

Using pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) as an example of a vaccine-preventable disease (VPD), we aimed to gather evidence on the economic impact of treating a case or managing an outbreak of a VPD. A scoping review was con-ducted. Online databases (MEDLINE and Google Scholar) were used to collate published studies from the year 2015 to 2019 on the management cost of one case or an outbreak of pTB. Keywords used were cost, treatment, outbreak, pulmonary tuberculosis, tuberculosis, economic, economic evaluation. A total of 29 studies were analysed. The costs of pTB treatment for individual patient were higher in high-income countries compared to middle-income and low-income countries. A case of pTB can result in household catastrophic health expenditure; while an outbreak can overwhelm the health system’s capacity, and disrupts the economy of a country. Therefore, accessibility of vaccines especially in low-income countries must be ensured. Also, vaccine-hesitant individuals must reconsider their stance on vaccination

Willingness to pay for outpatient services user fees: Malaysian community perspective

Health care services are not often accessible and available for all people in one country due to multiple reasons such as the geographical barrier, affordability, etc. The aim of this study was to analyse willingness to pay (WTP) for healthcare services user fees among Malaysian population and determine its’ influencing factors. Structured interviews were conducted involving 774 households in 4 states represents Peninsular Malaysia. Validated questionnaires with open ended, followed by bidding games were applied to elicit maximum amount of WTP. The study was analysed descriptively and with multivariate regression method to adjust for potential confounding factors. More than half of respondents WTP more than current fee for the government clinic outpatient registration fee with mean MYR3.76 (SD2.71). Majority of respondents not WTP more than usual for private clinic simple outpatient treatment charges with the mean MYR38.76 (SD5.45). Factors that were found to have significant associations with WTP for both government and private clinic were income and having health insurance. Community willing to pay for healthcare services user fees and charges but at certain amount. The healthcare services user fees and charges can be increased up to community WTP level to avoid from catastrophic expenditure

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of students towards total quality management in education at High Institute of Health Sciences in Sana'a, Yemen

Introduction The quality of education is one of the controversial topics and vital issues that requires more emphases from researchers due to the current challenges in education at the university level. Involvement and participation from the studentis essential to implement quality assurance and to reach for academic accreditation. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of students towards TQM in education and its influencing factorsatHigh Institute of Health Sciences (HIHS) in Sana'a, Yemen. Methods A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted in 2016. A total of 208 students from second and third study levels in HIHS had participated from 268 students were observed (study population). Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and one-way ANOVA were used to determine the association between students’ KAP towards TQM in education with its influencing factors. Results Mean age of the students were 22.44(SD±2.027) year old. Majority of HIHS students were male 135 (64.9%) and 108 (51.9%) were from the third studying level. The highest students' KAP scores were 53.4%, 65.4%, and 41.3% for good knowledge, good attitudes, and moderate practices respectively. Education Department was found to be significantly associated with students' knowledge and practices with p<0.05. In addition, the means of knowledge, attitudes, and practices were higher among pharmacy, radiology, and physiotherapy students respectively than laboratory students. Students' practices were found to be significantly associated with management, academic, and material factors with p<0.001. Conclusions HIHS students were observed to have good knowledge, good attitudes, and moderate practices towards TQM

Faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi psikososial pesakit kanak-kanak talasemia

Pengenalan Penyakit talasemia merupakan masalah kesihatan yang berat kerana ia memberi beban psikososial bukan sahaja terhadap pengidapnya malah ekosistem pengidap juga turut terganggu. Antara kesukaran yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh pesakit adalah masalah psikososial terutamanya dalam proses perkembangan dan pertumbuhan pesakit. Oleh itu, kajian ini mengkaji apakah faktor-faktor yang boleh mempengaruhi psikososial pesakit Talasemia. Kaedah Satu kajian irisan lintang telah dijalankan terhadap 161 orang pesakit kanak-kanak Talasemia Major di Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-kanak, Likas dan Hospital Daerah Keningau, Sabah pada Februari hingga April 2013. Soal selidik PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scale dan Social Support yang telah divalidasi telah digunakan. Keputusan Hasil kajian menunjukkan min skor psikososial keseluruhan adalah 68.50 (SP 15.18) dengan min skor psikososial fungsi persekolahan yang terendah iaitu 58.38 (SP 17.82). Didapati hanya faktor jantina memberikan hubungan yang signifikan dengan kesan psikososial fungsi emosi. Tidak terdapat hubungan yang signifikan antara faktor-faktor sociodemografi yang lain dengan skor kesan psikososial keseluruhan mahupun dengan kesan psikososial setiap fungsi. Bagi hubungan dengan subskala faktor sokongan sosial pula, didapati terdapat hubungan yang signifikan daripada di antara skor kesan psikososial setiap fungsi dan secara keseluruhan dengan faktor sokongan sosial ibu bapa, rakan karib, rakan sekelas dan guru. Hasil analisa multivariate regresi linear menunjukkan bahawa faktor sokongan sosial daripada rakan sekelas merupakan faktor yang signifikan mempengaruhi psikososial pesakit kanak-kanak Talasemia Major. Kesimpulan Kesimpulannya, faktor sokongan sosial terutamanya daripada rakan sebaya adalah amat penting dalam mempengaruhi psikososial pesakit kanak-kanak Talasemia Major dalam mengharungi kefungsian hidup mereka seperti kanak-kanak normal yang lain

Ability to Pay for Future National Health Financing Scheme among Malaysian Households

BackgroundMalaysia is no exception to the challenging health care financing phenomenon of globalization.ObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to assess the ability to pay among Malaysian households as preparation for a future national health financing scheme.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving representative samples of 774 households in Peninsular Malaysia.FindingsA majority of households were found to have the ability to pay for their health care. Household expenditure on health care per month was between MYR1 and MYR2000 with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 73.54 (142.66), or in a percentage of per-month income between 0.05% and 50% with mean (SD) 2.74 (5.20). The final analysis indicated that ability to pay was significantly higher among younger and higher-income households.ConclusionsSociodemographic and socioeconomic statuses are important eligibility factors to be considered in planning the proposed national health care financing scheme to shield the needed group from catastrophic health expenditures

Aduan di Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru dan faktor yang mempengaruhi tuntutan pampasan

Aduan dalam sistem rawatan kesihatan adalah aduan yang dibuat oleh pesakit atau saudara-mara pesakit kerana pelbagai alasan seperti kualiti perkhidmatan yang buruk atau harapan yang tidak dipenuhi. Terdapat beberapa kajian yang dilakukan untuk mengukur kadar aduan hospital tetapi tidak ada yang dilakukan di Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru dan kajian yang terhad dalam melihat aspek faktor-faktor yang berkaitan dengan aduan dan dengan tuntutan pampasan. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti aduan di Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru dan faktor-faktor yang berkaitan dengannya serta faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi tuntutan pampasan. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah keratan rentas (cross sectional study). Data diambil dari jumlah aduan terkumpul oleh Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Aduan Hospital Sultan Ismail Johor Bahru bermula dari 1 Januari 2009 sehingga 31 Disember 2016. Hasil kajian mendapati terdapat 304 data aduan dengan prevalens 0.13 per 1000 kedatangan pesakit. Seramai 16.7% pengadu telah membuat tuntutan pampasan. Kebanyakan pengadu adalah terdiri daripada lelaki (51.5%) dengan (67.4%) adalah berbangsa Melayu. Sejumlah (46.2%) aduan adalah berkaitan pengurusan klinikal, (61.4 %) aduan dibuat terhadap perkhidmatan doktor manakala (12.1%) aduan adalah berkaitan mortaliti dan (11.4%) berkaitan morbiditi. Kajian ini juga mendapati terdapat hubungan di antara bangsa, jenis aduan dan faktor penyakit dengan tuntutan pampasan. Aduan berkaitan pengurusan klinikal dan faktor penyakit mempunyai hubungan signifikan dengan pengadu yang menuntut pampasan. Oleh itu, aduan ini harus disiasat secara menyeluruh untuk mengetahui apa yang perlu dilakukan atau diperbaiki supaya kejadian tidak berulang pada masa akan datang

Feasibility of National Health Insurance for Saudi Healthcare Services: Qualitative Study

In this paper, we determine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the NHI system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabias (KSA) health-care system is funded by oil earnings and is free at the point of delivery. Because of rising expenditures and rising oil market volatility, this system is being increasingly stressed. Based on face-to-face interviews, the goal of this work is to examine qualitatively the advantages, challenges, and variables related to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in Saudi Arabia. Interviews were performed to gather qualitative data on the advantages, challenges, and issues connected with the implementation of the NHI system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the qualitative data analysis, an Atlas.ti.8 version was chosen. The implementation of the National Health Insurance- NHI, TAKAFUL type following the formation of high levels of citizen awareness, the installation of an administrative control center, and the building of a robust healthcare infrastructure is the researchs ultimate proposal. Based on the nature of Saudi residents and their level of satisfaction with present public healthcare facilities, this is a viable alternative scheme

Estimation of medical costs for ischemic stroke patients - from the perspective of a health care provider

The increasing prevalence of stroke has presented challenges to all countries. Since 2007, stroke has been one of the leading causes of death in Malaysia. Furthermore, the number of strokes is expected to increase steadily. Certainly, all parties are concerned, particularly considering the socioeconomic burden that must be borne. As a result, the community and health-care providers must measure the number required to cover the medical expenses associated with a stroke. The estimated medical costs are based on the medical costs of ischemic stroke patients treated at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz, which involved a total of 2161 stroke patients between 2016 and 2020. Demographic factors such as age and gender, as well as clinical factors such as severity, length of stay (LOS), and comorbid factors, were used to determine the medical costs of ischemic stroke patients. A logarithmic transformation was carried out on the medical cost to create a more suitable medical cost estimating model, considering the skewed nature of the medical cost data of ischemic stroke patients. As a result of the multiple linear regression analysis, age, LOS, severity level, type of comorbidity such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD), atrial fibrillation (AF), smoking and alcohol habits were found to have a significant effect on these medical costs. However, a patient’s medical costs are unaffected by gender or type of comorbidity, such as diabetes or hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, it was discovered that increased LOS, severity levels, or the presence of comorbidities such as IHD, AF, and smoking habits all increased patients’ medical costs. Medical costs, on the other hand, were found to be lower in patients who were older, consumed alcohol, and had hypertension

Effect of Air Pollution and Hospital Admission: A Systematic Review

Introduction Many epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between air pollution levels and human health in terms of hospital admissions. The aim of this paper is to gather evidence concerning air pollution effects on the risk of hospital admission. We hypothesised that increase in: particulate matter (PM), ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2) levels would be associated with the increasing trend of hospital admission. Methods A systematic review of literature was carried out. Literature search was done in Sage, Ovid Medline, Science Direct, Wiley and ProQuest from 2010 to 2016 using keywords “hospital admission and air pollution”. Studies of any relevant design were included if they presented original data, included at least one analysis where hospital admission was the specific outcome, and one or more of the following exposures were investigated: PM, O3, CO, NO2 and SO2. Results A total of 175 potential studies were identified by the search. Twenty two studies qualified for the review. Air pollution was noted to have an excessive risk of 3.46 (95%CI, 1.67, 5.27) of total hospital admissions. Cardiovascular admission was noted to have an increased risk of hospitalization for PM2.5 of 1.5 to 2.0; PM10 (1.007 to 2.7); NO2 (1.04 to 1.17) and SO2 (1.007). For respiratory admission, PM2.5 can caused an increased risk of hospitalization by 1.1 to 1.8; PM10 (1.007 to 1.13); NO2 (1.08 to 1.94) and SO2 (1.02). While O3 have minimal effect on COPD and stroke, CO does not influence in the effect of these hospitalization. Conclusion The exposure to air pollutants confers an increased risk of admission of several disease. Our findings call for greater awareness of environmental protection and the implementation of effective measures to improve the quality of air, which may reduce the risks of adverse effects on the population’s health

Feasibility of National Health Insurance for Saudi Healthcare Services: Qualitative Study

In this paper, we determine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the NHI system. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabias (KSA) health-care system is funded by oil earnings and is free at the point of delivery. Because of rising expenditures and rising oil market volatility, this system is being increasingly stressed. Based on face-to-face interviews, the goal of this work is to examine qualitatively the advantages, challenges, and variables related to the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system in Saudi Arabia. Interviews were performed to gather qualitative data on the advantages, challenges, and issues connected with the implementation of the NHI system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For the qualitative data analysis, an Atlas.ti.8 version was chosen. The implementation of the National Health Insurance- NHI, TAKAFUL type following the formation of high levels of citizen awareness, the installation of an administrative control center, and the building of a robust healthcare infrastructure is the researchs ultimate proposal. Based on the nature of Saudi residents and their level of satisfaction with present public healthcare facilities, this is a viable alternative scheme