This article was originally published as: OUT-OF-POCKET PAYMENT ON HEALTHCARE: IMPLICATION ON THE HEALTH STATUS OF WOMEN IN ENUGU STATE, SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA
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Abstract
Health care expenses in Nigeria are done mainly through Out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses. Women irrespective of their age, status and location have need for medical care and this creates a burden on their expenses due to OOP medical expenses. This study therefore, examines the implications of healthcare payment through OOP medical expenses on the health status of women in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted in Nsukka LGA and Enugu urban both in South – East Nigeria. Quantitative data was collected from 522 female respondents through structured questionnaire. The result shows that women irrespective of their place of residence are aware of health insurance scheme (p<0.00) and utilization of health insurance (0.00). There is also a significant relationship between employment status and encountering the challenge of paying for medical treatment due to cost of healthcare (p< 0.01). Furthermore, women in spite of their locality indulge in self-medication (p<0.00), patronize patent medicine dealers (p< 0.00) and roadside herbal medicine dealers (p< 0.00). The study concludes thatthe reliance on out-of-pocket payments for healthcare services, particularly among uninsured women in Enugu State, Nigeria, has significant implications for their health status. This practice introduces financial barriers that may result in delayed or forgone care, leading to self-medication, utilization of informal healthcare providers, and ultimately, adverse health outcomes. Moreover, the regressive nature of these expenditures exacerbates disparities, disproportionately affecting women, female-headed households, and the poor. To address these challenges, policymakers are urged to consider universal health insurance coverage and reforms in the healthcare sector to alleviate financial burdens and promote healthcare equity.
Authors
- IJEOMA J. OGU (UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA)
- IJOEMA IGWE (UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA)
- NGOZI I’ ARONU (UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA)
- LIM, MOSES MSUGHTER (FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA)
- OSITA KINGSLEY ODO (RUHR UNIVERSITY BOCHUM, GERMANY)
Keywords
Women, Out-of-pocket, healthcare, Enugu State, South-East Nigeria, medical bill
References
References not available for this article.
