Economic consequences of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in a rural Bangladeshi community

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 Sep;85(3):528-34. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0683.

Abstract

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a complication of visceral leishmaniasis. Bangladesh national treatment guidelines during the study period called for 120 intramuscular injections of sodium antimony gluconate (SAG). We assessed care-seeking behavior, diagnosis and treatment costs, and coping strategies among 134 PKDL patients; 56 (42%) patients had been treated with SAG, and 78 (58%) remained untreated. The median direct cost per patient treated was US$367 (interquartile range [IQR] = 90-284), more than two times the estimated per capita annual income for the study population. The most common coping strategy was to take a loan; the median amount borrowed was US$98 (IQR = 71-150), with a median interest of US$32 (IQR = 16-95). Households lost a median of 123 work-days per patient treated. The current regimen for PKDL imposes a significant financial burden, reinforcing the link between poverty and visceral leishmaniasis. More practical shorter-course regimens for PKDL are urgently needed to achieve national and regional visceral leishmaniasis elimination goals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / economics*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / etiology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rural Population
  • Young Adult