Evaluation du coût médical des patients atteints de COVID -19 hospitalises en 2021 au CHU Bogodogo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Coût médical patients COVID 19 hospitalisés CHU Bogodogo

Abstract

Introduction: COVID-19 is an emerging zoonotic viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus. Economically, it has imposed significant medical costs on patients due to its scale and associated complications. Few data are available from low-income African countries. Our study aimed to assess the direct medical costs incurred by hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Burkina Faso.

Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the COVID-19 isolation centre at Bogodogo University Hospital. Patient demographic and clinical data for 2021 were collected from medical records, and financial data were obtained from hospital cost billing. We used the bottom-up costing method to calculate the direct medical cost. Linear regression was used to identify the factors of direct medical cost.

Results: Our results show that the average medical cost was 187,631 FCFA, with a standard deviation of 93,519. Age, co-morbidity, occupation, and length of hospitalization were associated with higher medical costs. The costs of drugs and biological examinations were the major expenses, accounting for 68% and 15% of total direct medical costs.

Conclusion: The direct medical cost paid by COVID-19 patients is very high compared with the minimum salary. This cost is associated with advanced age, co-morbidities, occupation and increased length of hospitalisation.