Economic-Clinical Burdens of Tuberculosis Treatment in Vulnerable Patients in a Provincial General Referral Hospital in Lubumbashi, DR Congo

Michael Mika Mukanya,1 Edouard Mbaya Munianji,2 Chadrack Kabeya Diyoka,3 Laetitia Mwanvua Ngongo,3 Noémie Kisimba Kapala,1 Criss Koba Mjumbe1 1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 2Faculty of Public Health, University of Kananga, Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 3School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the CongoCorrespondence: Criss Koba Mjumbe, Email cryss_koba25@yahoo.frBackground: According to an analysis of the catastrophic costs incurred by people with tuberculosis, 56% of households in the Democratic Republic of Congo bear the economic burden of tuberculosis. The objective of this study was to determine the clinical and economic burdens of tuberculosis treatment in vulnerable patients.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Janson Sendwe Provincial General Referral Hospital between September and December 2023, a four-month period. Data collection was based on a previously developed survey form with several parameters.Results: In this study, 59 tuberculosis cases with vulnerability factors were recorded. Male sex was the most prevalent with 62.71%, the average patient age was 33.37 ± 9.92 (15– 68) years, TB/HIV coinfection was the most prominent with 94.92%, the average total cost was 56.74 ± 20.81 USD, direct costs were 10.61 ± 0.00 and indirect costs were 47.75 ± 19.23 USD. The average direct costs were 1.56 ± 0.19 USD.Conclusion: Catastrophic costs for tuberculosis patients can be addressed by improving the delivery and financing of tuberculosis services and strengthening social protection for tuberculosis patients.Keywords: tuberculosis, clinical economic burdens, vulnerable patients, Lubumbashi