Costs and Patterns of Financing Maternal Health Care Services in Rural Communities in Northern Nigeria: Evidence for Designing National Fee Exemption Policy.
BACKGROUND
As population and access to information increases, so does the demand for health services. Unfortunately, many people who genuinely require these services do not usually have access to them. To increase access, various financing options have been used. Despite this, maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high and spending is still largely out of pocket. This study assesses maternal health problems, preferred sources of care and the pattern of financing in a semi-rural community in North Western part of Nigeria.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. The study population consisted of women within the reproductive age group who had experienced childbirth 12 months or less prior to the study. A sample size of 240 was drawn using cluster and random sampling techniques. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used and the results were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).


RESULTS
The mean age of the respondents was 29 years and 49% had no personal income. Fever was the commonest problem. Although majority received antenatal care, those who lacked antenatal care mostly cited financial difficulties. Nearly half of the women delivered at home as opposed to a health facility. On average, women spent between Nigerian Naira (N) N1, 350-N14, 850 (USD$9-99) for a total package of maternal health services. Out of pocket spending by the husbands or household heads and the women themselves accounted for 73.3% of expenses.
In Nigeria, women are still vulnerable to common and preventable causes of maternal morbidity and mortality due to lack of access to antenatal health care. Out of pocket spending is still a popular method of financing. Harmonization of fee exemption policies can improve access to maternal healthcare.
National Health Insurance Scheme, Corporate Headquarters, Plot 297, P.O.W. Mafemi Crescent, Off Solomon Lar Way, Utako District, Abuja, Nigeria.
Nnennaya N
NN
Kalu-Umeh
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Mohammed N
MN
Sambo
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Suleiman H
SH
Idris
National Health Insurance Scheme, Kaduna Zonal Office, No. 2, Waziri Drive, Off Alkali Road, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Abubakar M
AM
Kurfi
Nigeria; fee exemption; financing; health care financing; maternal health; maternal healthcare; rural health care