Does aid reach the poor? Experiences of a childhood leukaemia outreach-programme

Eur J Cancer. 2009 Feb;45(3):414-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2008.09.018. Epub 2008 Nov 6.

Abstract

Previously, we found that the access to donated chemotherapy for childhood leukaemia patients in Indonesia was limited: only 16% of eligible families received donations. After the introduction of a structured parental education programme, we examined the access of parents of children with leukaemia to donated chemotherapy in an Indonesian academic hospital. The programme consisted of a video-presentation in hospital, information-booklet, audiocassette, DVD, procedures for informed-consent, statement of understanding for donated chemotherapy and a complaints-mechanism. Of 72 new patients, 51 parents (71%) were interviewed by independent psychologists using questionnaires. Parents of 21 patients (29%) did not participate because their children dropped-out (n=10) or died (n=11) before an interview took place. Four patients had health insurance and did not need donated chemotherapy. Access to donated chemotherapy was improved: 46/47 patients (98%) received donations. Structured parental education improved the access to donated chemotherapy. Outreach-programmes may benefit from this approach. This may enable more patients from poor socio-economic backgrounds in the developing countries to receive aid and achieve cure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / economics
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / supply & distribution*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Care Costs
  • Health Care Rationing
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics*
  • Health Services Accessibility / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Indonesia / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Parents
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires