A comparative analysis of the level of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in urban and rural communities in Edo state Nigeria

Abstract

In many low- and middle-income countries, individuals faced with financial hardship cannot afford medical

treatments or even finance the purchase of medicines due to relatively high cost of health care services.In numerous

low- and middle-income countries, individuals experiencing financial difficulties are unable to afford medical

treatments or purchase medicines due to the relatively high cost of healthcare services. High cost of healthcare has

often been recognized as one of the leading barriers to quality healthcare services with the potential to plunge

households into poverty, which affects the type and quality of health services sought for at health facilities between

urban and rural areas.

This cross-sectional descriptive study was among 495 eligible respondents in households in Edo State, Nigeria using

the multi-stage sampling technique. The data collection tool was an interviewer-administered semi-structured

questionnaire. The study found that in both urban and rural areas, 89.8% of respondents accessed care primarily by

‘Out of Pocket Payment (OOPP)’ however, this was higher among the rural households. Also, the purchase of drugs

accounted for the largest proportion (71.9%) of the total expenditure on healthcare services.

Given the economic realities faced by many households, especially in rural areas, urgent measures are warranted

to alleviate the financial strain of healthcare expenses. To address this issue, there is a critical need for the Edo state

government and private sector to prioritize the enhancement of existing healthcare insurance schemes, particularly

in rural regions, by expanding coverage and accessibility. Additionally, subsidizing the cost of medications,

particularly for common illnesses like malaria, could significantly alleviate the burden of out-of-pocket healthcare

expenditure.