Assessment of Catastrophic Health Expenditure among Households in Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Moses Luke, FHI360- Nigeria
oabodunrin@lautech.edu.ng Abodunrin Oluwagbemiga, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology
mosannahdgreat@gmail.com Hannah Ojo, Delta State University, Abraka
ponmilej@yahoo.com Jacob Ponmile, AIDS Healthcare Foundation

This study examines catastrophic health expenditure in Kogi state as a measure of financial risk protection in healthcare. Despite existing financing schemes, households continue to face substantial out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. The research, employing a cross-sectional design, distributed 406 questionnaires with a 99.3% response rate. Statistical analyses, including Logistic Regression, using SPSS. Results show 18.4% of Kogi state households experience catastrophic health expenditures, primarily impacting rural areas. A significant correlation is observed between the gender of the household head and their ability to cover healthcare costs (Chi-square = 2.55, degree of freedom = 1, p-value < 0.01). Lack of access to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) significantly impacts family economic well-being (Beta = 0.439, Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.645, [CI] = 0.454 - 0.916, p-value < 0.05). The study recommends fee waivers for elderly household heads and redistributing financial burdens to wealthier families for equitable healthcare financing in Kogi State.