EVALUATION OF GROSS MEDICAL CARE EXPENDITURE ENDURED BY PARENTS OF THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS

Background: Thalassemia major is a chronic problem and requires lifelong treatment that costs a lot to the parents directly or in directly. Objective of this study was to evaluate the gross medical care burden on the parents of thalassemia major patients visiting tertiary care hospitals for treatment. Methods: This cross-sectional research of six month duration (Jan-Jun 2024) was carried out in Quetta. Parents of malnourished thalassemia major patients admitted in paediatric wards were included whereas rest of the parents of thalassemia major patients with problems other than malnutrition were excluded. Systematic random sampling was used to gather data via preformed structured questionnaire. Ethical consideration was obtained from the parents and ERB of SOD before study. Descriptive statistics, i.e., frequencies and percentages were calculated and results were presented in the form of tabulation. Results: Among the 100 parents, more than half (65) were males and 35 were females. Majority (80%) parents had 1-5 siblings, 81% families had only a single earning member, 53% parents had 1 or 2 visits per month for blood transfusion. Ninety-seven percent and 89% parents respectively said that expenses on food and transport ranged from PKR 200-500. Conclusion: Parents spend about 300 rupees on food and about 300 rupees on travelling per visit so they had to spend about Rs. 1,200 (on an average) per month as most of them visit at least twice for the transfusion (some of them had to visit 3 times per month). Pak J Physiol 2024;20(3):84-6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v20i3.1793