The cost of influenza-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits in Kenya.

Background: We estimated the cost-per-episode and the annual economic burden associated with influenza in Kenya.

Methods: From July 2013-August 2014, we recruited patients with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) or influenza-like illness (ILI) associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza from 5 health facilities. A structured questionnaire was used to collect direct costs (medications, laboratory investigations, hospital bed fees, hospital management costs, transportation) and indirect costs (productivity losses) associated with an episode of influenza.