Patient costs incurred by people living with HIV/AIDS prior to ART initiation in primary healthcare facilities in Gauteng, South Africa

摘要: Purpose To quantify costs to patients of accessing HIV care prior ART initiation. Materials and methods Using a cross-sectional study design, incurred by HIV-positive initiation were estimated at urban primary healthcare facilities in South Africa. Costs included direct costs, indirect (productivity) carer coping (value assets sold money borrowed). The percentage individual income spent on was calculated compared patient tertiles CD4 count strata. Results 289 (69% female, mean age 37 (SD: 10) years, median 317 (IQR: 138–494) cells/mm3) interviewed. total monthly cost pre-ART US$15.71. Indirect accounted for $2.59 (16.49%) this when time valued using the patient’s reported income. $31.61, $12.78, $12.65 $11.93 those with 500 cells/mm3 respectively. 7.25% cells/mm3. Conclusions Despite provision charge-free services public clinics, can be costly, particularly poor unemployed. Our adds growing body evidence that highlights need consider policies reduce economic barriers service access, low or unwell groups, such as improving access disability grants.