Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/4556
Title: Costs of publicly provided maternity services in Rosario, Argentina
Authors: Borghi, J
Bastus, S
Belizan, M
Carroli, G
Hutton, G
Fox-Rushby, J
Keywords: Cost;Maternal health;Pregnancy;Delivery;Argentina
Issue Date: 2003
Publisher: Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública
Citation: Salud Pública de México, 45(1): 27-34
Abstract: Objective. This study estimates the costs of maternal health services in Rosario, Argentina. Material and Methods. The rovider costs (US$ 1999) of antenatal care, a normal vaginal delivery and a caesarean section, were evaluated retrospectively in two municipal hospitals. The cost of an antenatal visit was evaluated in two health centres and the patient costs associated with the visit were evaluated in a hospital and a health centre. Results. The average cost per hospital day is $114.62. The average cost of a caesarean section ($525.57) is five times greater than that of a normal vaginal delivery ($105.61). A normal delivery costs less at the general hospital and a c-section less at the aternity hospital. The average cost of an antenatal visit is $31.10. The provider cost is lower at the health centre than at the hospital. Personnel accounted for 72-94% of the total cost and drugs and medical supplies between 4-26%. On average, an antenatal visit costs women $4.70. Direct costs are minimal compared to indirect costs of travel and waiting time. Conclusions. These results suggest the potential for increasing the efficiency of resource use by promoting antenatal care visits at the primary level. Women could also benefit from reduced travel and waiting time. Similar benefits could accrue to the provider by encouraging normal delivery at general hospitals, and complicated deliveries at specialised maternity hospitals.
Description: This material is posted here with permission of the publishers, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material must be obtained from the Publisher.
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/4556
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0036-36342003000100004
ISSN: 0036-3634
Appears in Collections:Health Economics Research Group (HERG)

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