The Cost Implications of Malaria Burden on House Hold Expenditure among Socio-Economic Classes in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Understanding the economic burden of malaria is a pre-requisite to mounting long term control intervention among social classes in malaria endemic areas. The study determined the effect of malaria on house hold expenditure in Yenagoa metropolis during January, 2016 and March, 2016. A descriptive study design was adopted. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 287 respondents and analyzed using simple percentage, ANOVAs and Chi- square as statistical tools. The result showed that per capita income of respondents were lower than international standard.The average direct cost (cost of treatment) was higher than the indirect cost (cost of prevention). The monetary values of direct and indirect cost were N19.945.71 and N3423.41 respectively. These values vary across socio economic classes; differences were not significant (χ2c=642.99; df=5; P>0.05). The average cost of treatment per malaria episode (including direct and indirect costs) across occupational status ranges between N677.90 and N19,759.07. These values vary across occupational status. The differences were not statistically significant (χ2c=642.989; df=5; P>0.05). The average loss days to malaria were 9.51 days, translating to an average of N42,319.50 per loss days per malaria episode. The implication of this result has called for prompt attention from government, health planners and other agency for special interventions.