Willingness to Pay for a Service Package Solving the Problems of Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate Referred to the Cleft Lip and Palate Center.

BACKGROUNDS: Maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for a health benefit is linked to perceived value.

AIM: This study assesses WTP for a service package in cleft lip and palate patients and identifies influencing factors.

DESIGN

In this cross-sectional study, demographic, disease type, socioeconomic variables, and WTP for a service package reducing patients' problems were measured. A two-part regression model was used to identify factors influencing WTP.

RESULTS

Among 491 participants, 57% were male. 320 (65.17%) patients were willing to pay for the package, with an average of 79.42 USD. The highest mean WTP was for cleft palate and lip (65.27 USD). Family monthly expenditure was the only significant model variable; spending 50-100 USD compared to < 50 USD increased the likelihood of WTP by 1.79 times. Heads of families were willing to pay more for girls and for patients over 2 years. Each increase in child order raised WTP by 8.44 USD, while each additional sibling reduced it by 6.02 USD.

CONCLUSION

WTP for cleft lip and palate services was lower than expected. Better family financial status increased the likelihood of WTP, while both financial and demographic factors influenced the amount.