Cost analysis of constipation management in children with disabilities from caregivers’ perspective: preliminary findings

• Main Authors: Hasan, Haliza, Muda, Siti Mariam, Samsudin, Nurul Nabilah, Heni Dwi Windarwani, Heni Dwi Windarwani, Evi Harwiati Ningrum, Evi Harwiati Ningrum
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM 2024
• Subjects: RT Nursing; RT89 Specialities in nursing
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/116508/7/116508_Cost%20analysis%20of%20constipation%20management%20in%20children.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/116508/; https://journals.iium.edu.my/ijcs/index.php/ijcs/article/view/404

Background:Children with disabilities frequently experience comorbidities, with constipation being one of the most prevalent. This condition is often linked to neurological and disability conditions in such children. Managing constipation can impose significant financial burdens in term of direct medicaland non-medical costs on caregivers, but data on the associated costs are limited. This study aimed to estimate the medical and non-medical expenses of caregivers of children with disabilities in managing constipation during the 2019 financial year. Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted to assess the costs incurred by caregivers of children with disabilities who experienced constipation. 68 caregivers from Pahang were recruited through purposivesampling. A self-administered costing questionnaire was used to capture medical and non-medical expenses data. Results: The findings revealed that themean age of children was 10.82 ± 3.204, 29% of the children had intellectual disabilities, 41.2% experienced constipation for less than six months, and the majority had mild constipation. The median cost attended theCBR programme was RM1,040.00 (554.84), Government hospitals RM 344.40 (138.72), private hospitals RM 1,255.80 (657.72) and alternative rehabilitation for constipation was RM 1,147.20 (701.93). The Median caregiver’s medication and supplements cost was RM890.80 (384.25). The findings showthat, lowest cost spent for government facilities compared to private and alternative facilities because high subsidiaries provided by Malaysia government. Conclusion:The study highlights that caregivers of children with disabilities who were facing constipation tend to prefer non-medical treatments over medical interventions, leading to higher non-medical costs. These findings revealed that parents prefer to non-medical rehabilitation due to accessibility, cultural preference and affordable.