The usage and costs of health services for HIV infection in Australia

Abstract

Objective: To describe patterns of health-service usage and the resulting costs in 1992-1993 for Australian men. Design: A prospective survey, stratified by phase of illness. Setting: Hospital and community-based care. Patients: A total of 128 homosexual men: 20 in phase 1 (CD4+ count ≥ 500 x 106/l), 31 in phase 2 (CD4+ count < 500 and ≥ 200 x 106/l), 30 in phase 3 (CD4+ count < 200 x 106/l), and 47 in phase 4 (AIDS). Main outcome measures: Mean monthly service usage rates and costs. Results: Health-service utilization increased and became more hospital-based as illness worsened; the main exception was use of antiretroviral drugs, which peaked in phases 2 and 3. Hospital admission was rare b..