Economic Burdens of Uncomplicated Malaria in Primary Health Care (PHC) Facilities of Plateau State, Nigeria: Patients’ Perspectives

Abstract

Highlights: What are the main findings? Malaria is an endemic disease throughout Nigeria, which is a developing country with high poverty levels of citizens, and patients’ inappropriate practices in combating malaria were reported as one of the causes. Material resources, health workers, and patient-related factors were implicated as reasons for such practices. What is the implication of the main finding? This study will provide a comprehensive picture of the cost implications of treating the disease of patients and its projected economic impacts on the state. It might be useful in advising the health policymakers, as well as the healthcare professionals and patients, towards necessary attention and interventions. Objectives: This study aims at evaluating the costs incurred by patients in Primary Healthcare facilities of Plateau State, Nigeria, due to uncomplicated malaria management. Methods: Patients’ information on resources used and absence from the labour market due to uncomplicated malaria illness were collected using the self-reported cost of illness instruments across 24 selected Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in Plateau State. The collated data were used to estimate the direct medical and non-medical costs incurred by patients through the summation of the various costs paid out of pocket for the services; while the indirect cost was estimated using the human capital theory. All analyses were conducted through Microsoft Excel and IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS®) version 23 software. Results: The average direct cost per episode of uncomplicated malaria was estimated at NGN 2808.37/USD 7.39, while the indirect average money equivalence of the time lost due to the ailment was estimated at NGN 2717/USD 7.55, giving an average cost of treating uncomplicated malaria borne by patients in Plateau State per episode to be NGN 5525.37/USD 14.94. The projected annual cost of the disease was NGN 9, 921,671,307.22 (USD 27, 560,198.08). Conclusions: The study showed substantial financial costs borne by patients due to uncomplicated malaria in Plateau State, comprising 50.83% of direct cost and 49.17% of the indirect cost of medications.