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image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao World Journal of Sur...arrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao Closed Access logo, derived from PLoS Open Access logo. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Closed_Access_logo_transparent.svg Jakob Voss, based on art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina and Beao
World Journal of Surgery
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
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Paying the Price: The Intersection of Out‐of‐Pocket Expenses and Trauma Mortality in Pakistan

Authors: Komal Abdul Rahim;

Paying the Price: The Intersection of Out‐of‐Pocket Expenses and Trauma Mortality in Pakistan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Healthcare financing models significantly impact health outcomes across many diseases in high‐income countries (HICs). In low or middle‐income countries (LMICs), where financial vulnerabilities are much higher, little is known about the relationship between payment mechanisms and emergency care outcomes. This study aimed to quantify the association between trauma care payment mechanisms and inpatient mortality. Methods We conducted analysis of data from in four facilities in province Sindh, Pakistan (two urban and two rural sites) collected between May 2023 and February 2025. The outcomes were inpatient mortality and length of stay (LOS). We compared patients with out‐of‐pocket (OOP) expenses with no‐OOP. We calculated adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval for OOP after controlling for age, sex, injury severity (Kampala Trauma Score [KTS]), blood transfusion, procedure, comorbidity, and setting. We also applied propensity score matching (PSM) on age, sex, mechanism of injury, injury severity (KTS), and setting. Results Most of the 3572 enrolled patients were young (median age 35 years and IQR 25–50) males (81.95%) and a third paid OOP for hospital care ( n = 978 and 37.38%). The overall mortality rate was 4.85%, with a significantly higher mortality rate among the OOP group compared to the no‐OOP group (10.02% vs. 2.89%; AOR 3.14: 95% CI 1.93, 5.10). Additionally, the hospital LOS (median 4 vs. 9 days and p value < 0.001) and mean survival time of patients (22.81 days vs. 28.67 and p value < 0.001) were lower for the OOP group than no‐OOP group. The odds ratio after PSM showed a weak significant independent association between OOP and mortality (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02, 1.08). Conclusion Patients who paid OOP for injury care had greater mortality, suggesting that alternative financing strategies could improve outcomes in LMICs. Additionally, OOP was associated with shorter LOS, highlighting the need to improve universal health coverage for complete injury care.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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