Cost of varicella in France: a study in day care centers.
To assess the cost of varicella in young children in France, a prospective study was done in day care centers. Children (1263), who were 3 months to 3 years old and attending day care, were followed over a varicella season. For every child who developed varicella (n = 200), detailed information was obtained by use of parental questionnaires. Questions concerned medical care, days missed from work for parents, and the need for extra baby-sitting. On average, each sick child had one consultation with a physician and received three medications. In half of the families (52%), at least 1 parent had to miss work an average of 4.5 days to care for a sick child. Total costs to society were estimated to be US$352 per family, with medical costs accounting for 22% of the cost. The average eventual cost to parents was $89 per family, including $80 of non-medical costs. This study emphasizes the important socioeconomic impact of varicella in the day care setting in France.
Saddier
P
P
Pharmacoepidemiology Unit and Medical Direction, Pasteur Mérieux Connaught, Lyon, France. psaddier@fr.pmc-vacc.com
Floret
D
D
Guess
H A
HA
Dürr
F
F
Peyrieux
J C
JC
Weber
D J
DJ
Plotkin
S A
SA
D002644:Chickenpox / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014937:Work