Content area
Objectives
To identify, measure and value the economic burden of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders in the Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.
Design
Community-based cross-sectional survey (undertaken between January and September 2021).
Setting
Hai district, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Participants
Households resident in the Hai district.
Methods
A two-stage cluster sampling was used to select a representative sample of all Hai district residents. Clinical screening tools were used to identify and measure MSK disorders through a tiered approach. An economic questionnaire measuring healthcare costs, out-of-pocket costs, absenteeism, presenteeism and work productivity loss was administered to those with likely MSK disorders and selected controls (individuals without MSK disorders, matched by age and gender). Resource use was valued using country-specific costs. Two-part model regressions were fitted. A descriptive analysis of catastrophic expenditure was also conducted.
Main outcome measure
Healthcare costs, productivity costs and total costs.
Results
Annual average productivity and healthcare costs were, respectively, 3.5 and 3 times higher for those with likely MSK disorders than controls. Productivity costs of individuals with MSK disorders were Int$487 vs Int$132 in the control group (difference: Int$355, 95% CI Int$222 to Int$488). Healthcare costs in those with MSK were Int$269 vs Int$88 in the control group (difference: Int$181, 95% CI Int$34 to Int$327). The difference in terms of out-of-pocket expenses was economically substantial in magnitude, although not statistically significant.
Conclusion
The evidence will be used to inform policies addressing MSK disorders, by promoting the design of interventions, service provision, health promotion and awareness activities at local, regional and national level.
Details
; Grieve, Eleanor 1
; Krauth, Stefanie 2 ; Ping-Hsuan Hsieh 3
; Yongolo, Nateiya 4 ; Siebert, Stefan 5
; Halliday, Jo 6 ; Sanjura Mandela Biswaro 4 ; Kilonzo, Kajiru 7 ; Walker, Richard 8 ; Kelly, Clive 8 ; Msoka, Elizabeth F 9
; Kiula, Kiula 4 ; Mmbaga, Blandina 9 ; McIntosh, Emma 1 1 Health Economics and Health Technology assessment, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
2 General Practice and Primary Care, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; School of Allied and Public Health Professions, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
3 School of Pharmacy, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
4 Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania
5 School of Infection & Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
6 School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
7 Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
8 Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
9 Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania