An Analysis of Catastrophic Health Expenditure on Non-Communicable Diseases by Households in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are fast becoming major causes of morbidity and mortality around the
world, affecting the well-being of numerous individuals at an alarming rate. The NCDs examined in this
research were Cancer, Diabetes and Cardiovascular disease (Hypertension) which were selected purposively
because they are among the most common NCDs in the world.Some households face catastrophic health
expenditure and impoverishment as a result of spending on medical bills of the NCD patient.Catastrophic
spending is the situation whereby healthcare expenditure is greater than or equal to 40% of household income.
Some 384 copies of questionnaire were systematically administered among patients or their caregivers in
systematically selected hospitals in Kaduna State. Descriptive qualitative statistical techniques were used for
analysis. ANOVA was used to test the statistical difference of catastrophic spending between households
managing each of the NCDs. The resultsshowed that households with Cancer patients have the highest
percentage of involvement in catastrophic spending(40.6%), followed closely by households with hypertensive
patients(37.5%), and lastly households with diabetic patients(11.7%). Also, the quantitative analysis showed a
statistically significant difference (0.001) in catastrophic spending between the households managing NCDs.
The economic effects of the NCDs have particularly pushed families into catastrophic spending, thus plunging
them further into impoverishment and a vicious cycle of poverty and disease. In conclusion, there is a
significant difference in the economic effect of NCDs on households in Kaduna State. The economic burden on
households managing NCD patients can be alleviated by institutional interventions aimed at sharing the cost of
treatment with the family. The insurance schemes should also be expanded to accommodate NCDs and nongovernment workers.