Analysis of Hypertension Prevalence and Economic Burden in Kenya: Patients Cost Analysis Approach

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence and economic burden of hypertension in Kenya in relation to patients. Methodology: The cost of illness approach methodology was applied to determine the study's findings and outcomes. All of the expenses associated with hypertension, both direct and indirect, are identified and quantified using this method. Findings: Overall, the mean annual direct cost to patients was KSH 39,471.60. Medicines (mean annual cost, KSH 21,872.55, transport (mean annual cost, KSH 16,407.65, and user charges mean annual cost, KSH 7,472.15. Overall mean annual indirect cost was KSH 22,235.15. The incidence of catastrophic health care costs was 43.3% and increased to 59.0% when transport costs were included. The study demonstrates that hypertension places a considerable economic burden on patients in Kenya. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that as Kenya reforms its health system to prioritize the attainment of UHC, there is need for interventions to provide financial risk protection to individuals with a chronic disease such as hypertension. Given that medicines are a key cost driver for patient out‐of‐pocket costs, one approach would be to explicitly include hypertension medicines in the universal health care benefit package that Kenyan citizens are entitled to.