Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Healthcare Management, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

2 MSc Student, Healthcare Management, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Direct cash payments are the principal sources of health care finance in most countries.
Health services may impose a regressive cost burden on households, especially in developing countries.
The purpose of this study was to calculate households encountered with catastrophic healthcare
expenditures in Qazvin, Iran.
Methods: The statistical society included 100 household equaled to 416 people. The data were collected
using self-administered questionnaire. The capacity to pay of households was calculated by two methods.
If the costs of household health were ≥ 40% of their capacity for payment, it would be considered as
catastrophic expenditures.
Results: According to the findings, the rate of confronting households with health catastrophic
expenditures had been estimated 24%, which dentistry services had the highest part in health catastrophic
expenditures.
Conclusion: Low capacity to pay families should be supported against these expenditures and more
financial aid should be provided for them.

Keywords

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