Assessment of clinical outcome and health insurance coverage among patients with breast cancer

Authors

  • Michael Addo Kwabeng Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
  • Kofi Adesi Kyei Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra; Department of Radiology University of Ghana https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3485-5368
  • Stephen Manortey University of Utah, West Africa Campus
  • Verna Vanderpuye Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
  • Doris Kitson-Mills Department of Radiology University of Ghana
  • Joel Yarney Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
  • Sharon Talboys University of Utah, West Africa Campus

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2020.1344

Keywords:

Survival rate, clinical outcome, insurance, diagnosis

Abstract

Breast cancer is a global health concern in terms of morbidity and mortality. Risksharing mechanisms such as health insurance provide resources and promote access to healthcare. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between health insurance coverage and clinical outcome of breast cancer patients. The study employed retrospective design involving the use of secondary data from the patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Between the period of 2015 to 2019, 250 patients’ records were reviewed from a sample size of 300 patients over 5 year patients’ follow-up period. A descriptive and Kaplan Meier survival analysis was performed to determine the patients’ survival rate. Seventy-two percent of the patients had health insurance cover at the time of diagnosis. Insurance status was found to be significantly associated with survival (p-values= 0.036). Insurance cover had 1.42 hazard ratio (p=0.036, 95% CI: 1.023-1.980). Patients with health insurance coverage at the time of diagnosis had a higher survival rate. No significant association was found among the demographic characteristics and the patients’ clinical outcomes.

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Published

29-10-2020

How to Cite

Kwabeng, M. A., Kyei, K. A., Manortey, S., Vanderpuye, V., Kitson-Mills, D., Yarney, J., & Talboys, S. (2020). Assessment of clinical outcome and health insurance coverage among patients with breast cancer. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2020.1344

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Original Articles