Assessing the Impact of Out-of-Pocket Expenditures for Prevention of Covid-19 Infection on Households

Evidence From Malaysia

Bibliographic Data

ID13775019
AuthorsHafiz Jaafar (0000-0003-0467-3213, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia), Nur Amalina Abd Laziz (Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia), Muslimah Ithnin (0000-0002-0557-907X, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia), Amirah Azzeri (0000-0001-6261-1307, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume58
Pages469580211062402-469580211062402
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueINQUIRY The Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0046-9580 • E-ISSN: 1945-7243
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00469580211062402
PMID34929109
OpenAlexW4200077139
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited43

COVID-19 infection resulted in significant economic implications to patients as well as a considerable financial burden to the general population for preventive measures. A descriptive study was conducted among staff at one of the public universities in Malaysia to estimate the monthly out-of-pocket expenditures for preventive measures used for COVID-19 infection. The study tool includes questions on household out-of-pocket expenditure and the measurements of the impact of the expenditure on household income. It was found that the average cumulative monthly expenditures related to the preventive measures were US$ 45.90 (Ringgit Malaysia 187.77), which was 4.3% of the household income. The highest expenditures were for traditional and complementary medicine followed by nutraceutical/supplements and disposable facemask. 8% of the households in this study incurred more than ten per cents of their monthly household income for expenditures related to COVID-19 preventive measures. Several households are experiencing substantial financial implications for preventive measures related to COVID-19 infection. This study highlights the out-of-pocket expenditures incurred for preventive measures were substantial for certain households. Effective initiatives from the government on providing subsidized protective personal equipment and a cost-sharing approach could help to alleviate the household financial burden

Business · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Economics · Environmental health · Geography · Government (linguistics · Household income · Infectious disease (medical specialty · Population · Subsidy · COVID-19 and healthcare impacts · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts · Medicine

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access