The economic burden of snakebites to households in Ghana: a case of two districts in the Oti Region of Ghana

Background: Little is known about the economic burden of snakebites to households in Ghana. This study examined the economic burden of snakebites to victims of households in 2 snakebite endemic districts in the Oti Region of Ghana.

Methods: STATA version 14 was used for the data analysis and the cost of treating snakebite was estimated from the patient perspective. In the study, we first present descriptive statistics of the variables used and then use the Kruskal-Wallis test to assess significant difference in the mean cost of snakebite across groups. We also used the Generalized Linear Model to establish the relationship between cost of treating snakebite versus potential risk factors associated with the cost.

Results: A total of 373 respondents were involved in the study and the majority were males (68.36%). The mean non-medical cost incurred during treatment was USD 26.57 with feeding accounting for the largest non-medical cost (USD 17.97). The mean medical cost incurred was USD 70.60 with largest expenditures on medications (USD 49.70). The average indirect cost relating to productivity loss due to snakebite was USD 60.57 and the average number of days unable to work due to the snakebite was 39 days. The overall direct and indirect mean cost incurred by victims was USD 155.56. Of the total cost, direct medical cost accounted for 44.90%, indirect cost accounted for 38.52%, and non-medical cost accounted for 16.58%. The average cost incurred by the insured under the national insurance scheme (USD 154.07) was statistically lower (P-value = 0.017) than those uninsured under the scheme (USD 158.78).

Conclusion: To assist reduce the economic burden of treating snakebites, antivenom should be included in the National Health Insurance Scheme benefit package and should be made readily available at health facilities.