Newer perspectives on the burden of HIV/AIDS on medical expenditures of individuals and households

Abstract

HIV/AIDS contributes towards severe economic hardships on individuals/households (HH). The objective of the present article, besides documenting the different economic implications of HIV/AIDS on medical expenditures of individuals/HHs, is to find through a comparative analysis if the expenses of HIV-positive respondents were significantly higher compared to those of all members from the control group of non-HIV/AIDS HHs taken together. On account of the peculiar nature and constraints involved, the study attempts the above through use of non-parametric tools of Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U. Findings reveal significant hardships faced by HIV/AIDS HHs, despite respondents opting more for free treatment; considering details of only one person per HH; often getting assistance from others like NGOs; and often not seeking treatment due to financial impediments - all unlike the control group.