Evaluation of the Cost of Therapy in the Management of Ear, Nose and Throat Infections in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Abstract

To determine cost of therapy to patients of Ear Nose and Throat infections in a Nigerian teaching hospital. A retrospective drug utilization evaluation in conjunction with Cost of Illness Analysis was used. One hundred and twenty two (122) randomly selected case notes containing 182 prescriptions of patients with Ear, Nose and Throat infections over one year period between year 2005 and 2006 were examined. Relevant data including demographics, diagnosis, prescribed drugs, and dosages were extracted and the associated costs; direct and indirect were evaluated. Disease occurrence was significantly higher among children of age group 0-10 years (59.3%). Otitis media was the most prevalent and occurred among 82(45.0%) patients followed by bronchopneumonia which occurred among 70 (38.5%) patients. The overall average antibacterial cost of ENT infections per patient (n=122) was NGN2940.49 (US$22.62). Bronchopneumonia and otitis media; the most frequent had average antibacterial costs per patient of NGN3675.41(US$28.27) and NGN823.27 (US$6.33) respectively. Antibacterial cost for bronchopneumonia represents 71.7% of the total antibacterial cost. Bronchopneumonia has the highest overall average cost of therapy of NGN5028.88±1393.50 (US$36.68). Antibacterial cost constitute the highest cost component (64.37%) followed by indirect cost (loss productivity) of (18.50%). Cost of therapy for these infections to patients and the nation at large is huge. Brochopneumonia treatment constitutes the greater proportion of this cost which needs to be closely evaluated.

Keywords: Pharmacoeconomics, Cost of illness Analysis, Antibacterial utilization, Infectious diseases, Antibacterial Cost