Economic burden estimation for pandemic hand foot and mouth disease in Ningbo City, 2011

Objective To estimate the economic burden resulting from pandemic hand foot and mouth disease(HFMD) in Ningbo. Methods During the HFMD epidemics in 2011, by using face to face questionnaire survey and checking hospital fees system,the data on the direct and indirect economic cost of randomly selected HFMD outpatients, general and severe inpatients in Ningbo was collected. Results In total, 56 outpatients, 42 general inpatients and 68 severe cases hospitalized were surveyed. The average cost for the outpatients was 1005.30 yuan, with relative direct cost being 686.39 yuan, and indirect cost about 318.91 yuan. The average cost of hospitalization was 3303.00 yuan, with relative direct cost being 2770.12 yuan, and indirect cost about 532.88 yuan. For the severe inpatients, the average cost was 7866.35 yuan, with relative direct cost being 6598.57 yuan, and indirect cost about 1267.78 yuan. Through the economical burden investigation,the total economical burden caused by HFMD in Ningbo proved to be 15.2204 million yuan in 2011. Conclusion The economic burden resulting from HFMD is heavy to patients. It is imperative to enhance the control and prevention of HFMD.