Research on the expenses of patients associated with the diagnostics of TB and HIV

Research on the expenses of patients associated with the diagnostics of TB and HIV

Project manager: G. Chepurko

Customer: Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Implementation period: July 2021 – May 2022

Objective of the study: to determine the volume and main factors of expenses patients incur during the treatment and other services related to diagnosis among people with tuberculosis and among people living with HIV.

The research design is combined, based on both desk research and quantitative research methods, and work with both primary and secondary information.

Research methods. To solve the research tasks, the following methods will be used: statistical – to justify a sample of procedures and analyze the general situation with regard to the incidence of TB and HIV / AIDS in Ukraine; sociological – to determine the volume and main factors of treatment costs and other services related to treatment and diagnosis among people with tuberculosis and people living with HIV; analysis of documents – to obtain objective indicators from medical records of patients, analysis of legislative acts regulating patient costs at the level of the health care system in Ukraine, including patient costs associated with the diagnosis of TB and HIV; secondary analysis of sociological information – available publications and research reports on patient expenditures at the level of the health care system in Ukraine.

Geography of the study: The study covers 7 oblasts with the highest rates of TB and HIV (as of 01.07.2021) in five regions of Ukraine: North, South, East, West and Center of Ukraine

As part of the study, 1200 respondents will be interviewed:

• people living with HIV (PLHIV) or parents / guardians of AIDS centers clients – 600 people;
• people sick with TB or parents / guardians of patients at TB dispensaries – 600 people.

The survey will be conducted by means of face-to-face interviews using tablets (CAPI, computer-assisted personal interviews) or telephone interviews. Online interviews in zoom or skype can also be applied. The respondents will be selected from the patients of the PHC and regional PHC with the support of medical workers and in accordance with the established quotas.

An analytical report will be prepared based on the results of the study.