[The cost of obstetric and neonatal care: Case study of the Jason Sendwe hospital maternity in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo in 2015]

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the user cost for obtaining obstetric and neonatal care during childbirth in the Jason Sendwe hospital in the city of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the maternity of the Jason Sendwe hospital in Lubumbashi, reviewing charts and using a questionnaire given to 145 women who gave birth from 1st August to 30th September 2015. We calculated the cost based on the amounts paid by users for obtaining care, expressed in US dollars ($) at an exchange rate of 900 Congolese Francs (CDF) for $1.

Results: The average age of parturients was 27±6 years (m±SD). Nearly 9 out of 10 women were married (84.8%), 24.1% had a primary school educational level. The majority (62.1%) had no occupational activity and the average monthly income of those employed was $28. Many of their spouses were self-employed (36.6%) with an average monthly income of $113. Hemorrhage was the most common complication (12.4%); perinatal mortality was 12.4%, and was only registered in cases of dystocia. Cost of care for eutocic delivery was 5 times greater than for complicated vaginal delivery that in turn had a 2-fold lower cost than caesarean section. It follows from this study that the cost of care for eutocic delivery, complicated vaginal delivery and cesarean section was, respectively: 1.4%, 7.5%, and 13.4% of annual household income. In general, in case of childbirth, 51%, 40.7%, and 34.4% of households devoted more than 5%, 10% and 20% respectively of their annual income to obtain obstetric and neonatal care.

Conclusion: The cost of obstetric and neonatal care is catastrophically high for households in Lubumashi. Undoubtedly, those who seek hospital care for childbirth must cope with financial problems related to the incurred debt. The State should review its healthcare financial policy to ensure access to quality care for all.

Keywords: Cost; Coût; Households; Ménages; Obstetric and neonatal care; Soins obstétricaux et néonatals.