Abstract

LOPERA-MEDINA, Mónica María; MARTINEZ-ESCALANTE, Jorge  and  RAY-EINARSON, Thomas. Access of People with HIV to the Colombian Healthcare System and its Related Costs from an Individual and Family Perspective, Bogotá, 20I0. Rev. Gerenc. Polit. Salud [online]. 2011, vol.10, n.20, pp. 81-96. ISSN 1657-7027.

To determine the access to healthcare for HIV patients and the associated costs in Bogotá, we developed a protocol using a mixed design. The quantitative phase comprised a cross-sectional study with a convenience sample of 540 adults with HIV. For the qualitative phase, a phenomenological study with 20 individuals was undertaken. 95% of participants had health insurance, but we found many structural, operative and human failures that imposed barriers to comprehensive treatment, as well as a complicated process to guarantee the rights for health. The direct cost assumed by individuals with HTV or their families was $65,000 COP monthly, representing 11-16% of their income. Indirect costs were 2.2 times higher. Access to healthcare influenced their medical condition as well as the burden of illness in terms of direct and indirect costs.

Keywords : health systems; HTV infection; access to health services; cost of illness; out-of-pocket expenses; private expenses in health; basic care assistance plan; equity in health; social security system; ruinous or catastrophic diseases.