Economic vulnerability of methadone maintenance patients: Implications for policies on co-payment services
http://repository.vnu.edu.vn/handle/VNU_123/11466 Background: Co-payment for methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) services is a strategy to ensure the financial sustainability of the HIV/AIDS programs in Vietnam. In this study, we examined health services utilization and expenditure among MMT patients, and further explored factors associated with catastrophic health expenditure among affected households. Methods: A multi-site cross-sectional study was conducted among 1016 patients in two epicentres: Hanoi and Nam Dinh province in 2013. Results: Overall, 8.2% and 28.7% respondents used inpatient and outpatient health care services in the past 12 months apart from receiving MMT. There were 12.8% respondents experiencing catastrophic health expenditure given MMT is provided free-of-charge, otherwise 63.5% patients would suffer from health care costs. MMT integrated with general health or HIV services may encourage health care s...