Table 2 Healthcare expenses incurred by users of public health facilities before and after implementation of the intervention^a

1. All episodes in a public health facility

121

124

Resulting in an expense

114 (94 %)

43 (35 %)

(− 63 %)

Average amount spent (SD)

11.6 (10.4)

5.7 (6.0)

5.9***

Median amount spent (IQR)

8.0 (10.2)

3.5 (4.6)

4.6***

2. Payment for consultation

56

9

As a % of episodes

46 %

7 %

(−85 %)

Average amount spent (SD)

2.4 (3.4)

3.0 (3.1)

-

Median amount spent (IQR)

1.1 (1.7)

2.6 (2.7)

-

3. Payment for medication

99

15

As a % of episodes

82 %

12 %

(−85 %)

Average amount spent (SD)

7.5 (7.1)

5.2 (5.9)

-

Median amount spent (IQR)

4.8 (5.9)

3.3 (2.3)

-

4. Payment for hospitalization

11

4

As a % of episodes

9 %

3 %

(−67 %)

Average amount spent (SD)

6.5 (5.8)

1.9 (0.2)

4.6*

Median amount spent (IQR)

4.8 (9.8)

1.9 (0.3)

-

5. Payment for other services

14

8

As a % of episodes

12 %

6 %

(−50 %)

Average amount spent (SD)

2.3 (3.2)

10.2 (19.9)

-

Median amount spent (IQR)

1.5 (1.1)

3.3 (7.2)

-