Economic impact of tuberculosis on survivors of drug sensitive TB

Tuberculosis (TB) imposes a substantial economic burden on survivors of drug-sensitive TB, as evidenced by the data and supported by comparative studies. The findings reveal that direct costs, including diagnostics, medicine, and transportation, significantly impact patients, despite widespread use of government healthcare facilities. These expenses, coupled with income loss and wage disruption highlight the financial instability faced by TB survivors. Prolonged recovery periods further exacerbate this burden, reducing earning potential and straining household finances. • 74% of survivors reported a loss of income, and 42% experienced job loss due to the disease. The wage loss data shows variability, with 26% reporting no loss, while 23% lost wages equivalent to 7 days, and others reported longer periods (up to 270 days). This demonstrates the severe disruption in earning capacity caused by TB, particularly for daily laborers who constitute a significant share of the employed population (52%). • Survivors incurred significant additional monthly expenses, with 52% spending ₹1000 or more on necessities related to TB management. Diagnostic and travel costs added to this burden, with 64% spending ₹100 on travel and others incurring costs as high as ₹700 for diagnostics. These recurrent expenditures, though individually modest, compound over time, leading to financial strain. • 87% of survivors reported a reduction in savings, reflecting how TB depletes financial reserves, leaving families vulnerable to economic shocks. Such financial erosion can have long-term consequences, particularly for low-income households. • Although 82% of survivors relied on government hospitals for treatment, suggesting some alleviation of direct medical costs, additional expenses for medicine (e.g., 29% incurring ₹2000) and domestic losses (e.g., 23% facing ₹100 in expenses) highlight the hidden costs of managing TB. • 79% of households experienced mild food insecurity, while 8% faced severe impacts, underlining how TB indirectly affects nutritional well-being. This reflects the trade-offs households must make between healthcare spending and essential needs.