Cost of providing sexually transmitted disease services in Bangkok.

Findings are presented from an assessment of the economic costs of treating STDs and sustaining 5 STD clinics in the Bangkok metropolitan area. The cost analysis was done in June 1995 using a composite of costing guidelines. Costs were evaluated for 1994 and are therefore in 1994 dollars. The analysis determined that the cost of providing services differs significantly across the 5 clinics analyzed with recurrent costs of day-clinic STD care at US$13-37 per patient reached. An analysis of expanded evening hours at the clinics suggests that an investment of US$62000 per year would allow an additional 2000 patients to receive STD treatment and that evening hours seem to be more convenient for patients. Inexpensive outreach activities initiated by the clinics and conducted in brothels have reached prostitutes with important information on STDs including HIV. An analysis of opportunities for cost recovery found that although some resources can be recovered government support will continue to be required. The most feasible cost recovery option for promoting sustainability is a proposed charge of US$2-4 per STD clinic attender. This charge was projected to allow each clinic to recover 11-22% of their recurrent costs.