title: Medication-related expenditures by individuals with allergic rhinitis in Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the medication-related expenditures in individuals with allergic rhinitis (AR) and identify contributory factors that affect these expenditures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study from August 2013 to January 2014.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kwara state has 16 local government areas, a total land mass of 36,825 km(2), and a population of 2,591,555.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of the 308 adult subjects, 66 had AR using the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR). Information on medication-related expenditure and associated factors in AR was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and comparative analyses between AR and non-AR subjects were performed using an independent-sample t test and χ(2) test. Factors associated with cost of care were assessed using logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AR crude prevalence rate was 21.4%. Of the subjects, the mean ± SD age was 37.6 ± 10.0 years, and 87.9% were married, 72.7% were self-employed, and 69.7% were in the low socioeconomic class. In total, 69.7% had intermittent symptoms, while 66.7% had a positive family history of allergy. Polypharmacy care was employed in 76.1%, and 30.3% had comorbidity with asthma. The mean monthly income was 842 US dollars (USD), while the mean monthly cost of care was 81 USD, constituting 9.6% of mean monthly income. All payments were through out-of-pocket-expenses. Factors associated with convenience of cost of care were positive family history (odds ratio [OR], 7.93; P = .021) and presence of intermittent symptoms (OR, 9.36; P = .013).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The medication-related expenditure of AR is burdensome with an average expenditure of almost 10% of monthly income.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria tosinadebolang@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Stephen Oluwatosin
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Adebola
authors.affiliation: ENT Unit, Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusola Ayodele
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Sogebi
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oyebola Eyitayo
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Adebola
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Isaac Femi
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Oyinloye
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Michael Sunday
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Oguntoye
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents
keywords: Nigeria; allergic rhinitis; expenditure; treatment