Cost-Benefit Analysis of Directly Observed Treatment by Relatives and Health Personnel in Narathiwat Province

บทคัดย่อ

This descriptive research aimed to analyze the cost-benefit of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) by relatives and health personnel in Narathiwat Province. The target population for this research was 35 case relatives and 32 health personnel. Data were collected using cost records and questionnaire, tested for content validity, yielding an index of 1.00. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and ratio).

The results showed that total cost of DOT by the relatives was 713,329.70 Baht, in which the medical costs was 371,864 Baht (10,624.69 Baht per case) and non-medical cost was 341,465.70 Baht (9,756.16 Baht per case). The ratio of medical cost to non-medical cost was 1.06 to 0.98. The total benefit of DOT by relatives was 439,919.30 Baht (benefit per cost  = 1.29).

The total cost of DOT by health personnel was 544,655.17 Baht, where the medical cost was 383,188 Baht (11,974.63 Baht per case) and non-medical cost was 161,467.17 Baht (5,045.85 Baht per case). The ratio of medical cost to non-medical cost was 1.20 to 0.50. The total benefit of DOT by health personnel was 175,184.60 Baht (benefit per cost = 1.08).

The results of this research showed that DOT by relatives, especially for general TB patients yielded higher benefit while, DOT by health personnel in TB patients with HIV/AIDS produced higher benefit. Both forms of DOT should be promoted for community health service in Narathiwat province.