Economic Burden Of Hypertensive Disorders In Pregnancy: A Case Study At Tema General Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy had become a huge economic (financial, social and psychological) burden on patients, families and the nation as a whole. Such economic burden on patients and their families cannot be underestimated. The objective of the study was to determine the economic burden of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at Tema General Hospital.

Methods: An exploratory, cross-sectional cost-of-illness study was conducted with 50 eligible women enrolled and interviewed. Socio-demographic data of respondents, direct and indirect costs in the management hypertensive disorders in pregnancy were collected and analysed. Results: Out of a total number of 50 pregnant women studied, almost half (48%) of them were pre-eclampsia cases with 2% being chronic hypertension with superimposed pre-eclampsia, 20% (10) due to gestational hypertension, 8% (4) due to eclampsia and 4% (2) due to chronic hypertension in pregnancy. The mean total cost per month was estimated at GHS559.65 (SDGHS205.95), US$143.50) -with direct costs accounting for 83% of total costs.

Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy cause considerable economic burden and a significant deterioration in household income impacting negatively on welfare of families. This could lead to families adopting unfavourable coping strategies which could reduce their ability of assessing health care and increasing their vulnerability to future financial crisis.