The Socioeconomic Dimensions for the Management of Haemophilia in India

Abstract

Purpose: Haemophilia is an X-lined recessive disorder of coagulation that can affect any section of the society. Haemophilia is incurable and expensive lifelong disease; hence, the patient always brings in a financial crisis to manage its medication. In developing country like India the per capita health expenditure is 58 USD/year in 2012. The AHF therapy has been negligibly used in critical conditions of the disease. This study was undertaken to identify the social and economic dimensions that can influence the attitude of the medical practitioners for the choice of treatment therapy for a patient with haemophilia (PwH) in India. Design/methodology/approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting the primary data from the randomly selected 50 medical practitioners who were having at least one PwH on weekly basis. The EFA method was applied to determine the major socioeconomic dimensions of the choice of therapy. Findings: Four major dimensions were explored in the study that have significant impact on the attitude of medical practitioners. The availability of the AHF therapy is the most important dimension for consideration of a therapy for PwH in India. Moreover, the patient safety profile, patient affordability profile, and the experience of medical practitioners are three more dimensions that established the positive impact on attitude. Research limitations/implications: The methodology has socioeconomic tools for analysis and applied instrument has only 15 items for factor analysis. Practical implications: Governing bodies to rectify the policies on rare diseases because of inadequate supply of medicines. Academics would also benefit greatly since it will add value to existing body of literature on haemophilia in Indian context.