Determinants of Out-Of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditure in the South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

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Author	Apere ThankGod Oyinpreye
ISSN	2307-2466
On Pages	296-300
Volume No.	3
Issue No.	6
Issue Date	November 01, 2020
Publishing Date	November 01, 2020
Keywords	Out-of-Pocket Healthcare Expenditure, South-South Geopolitical Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examines the determinant of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria using the 2010 national harmonized living standard survey data. Using the Heckman selection two-step model, the study concludes that state of residence, age of household head, family size, per capita consumption expenditure and adult equivalent weight together determines whether a person who falls sick will spend out-of-pocket for healthcare. Also, if a person falls sick and seeks healthcare service(s) age, age squared, household size, household size squared and per capita consumption expenditure proxy for per capita income. These are the factors that determined how much he/she spends out-of-pocket for healthcare, while aged people (those beyond 50 years of age) spend more out-of-pocket for healthcare households with more than 7 members have little to spare and so spend less out-of-pocket on healthcare. This reveals that healthcare is a normal good. The study therefore, recommends a comprehensive health insurance scheme irrespective of the state of residence for households in the zone.

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