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Financial cost of treating out-patients with schizophrenia in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Toyin G. Suleiman ,
Jude U. Ohaeri ,
Rahman A. Lawal ,
Adam Y. Haruna  and
O. B. Orija
Toyin G. Suleiman*
Affiliation:
Yaba Psychiatric Hospital
Jude U. Ohaeri
Affiliation:
University College Hospital, Ibadan
Rahman A. Lawal
Affiliation:
Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
Adam Y. Haruna
Affiliation:
Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
O. B. Orija
Affiliation:
Yaba Psychiatric Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria
*
Dr J. U. Ohaeri, Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
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Abstract

Background

An assessment of the monetary costs of treating a group of Nigerian out-patients with schizophrenia, in comparison with insulin-dependent diabetics, was made.

Method

Fifty out-patients with schizophrenia (mean age 42.9) and 40 with diabetes (mean age 41.9), attending government hospitals in Lagos, were assessed at six-monthly intervals, for direct and indirect costs (US$=82 naira; minimum monthly wage=500 naira)

Results

Twenty (40%) of those with schizophrenia and eight (20%) of the diabetics had no income at all. The mean total cost of schizophrenia in six months (2951.4 naira) or US$ 35.9) was significantly less than that of diabetes (11 791 naira or US$ 143). The cost of antipsychotic drugs accounts for 52.8% of the cost of schizophrenia; insulin injections accounted for 92.8% of the total cost of diabetes. Patients with schizophrenia and their relatives suffered significantly more loss of working days. Cost of illness was not significantly correlated with age and duration of illness.

Conclusions

Because of drastic currency devaluation, and lack of disability benefits and nursing homes, the findings contrast with Western reports where cost of drugs constitutes 2–5%, and indirect costs constitute over 50% of the total cost of schizophrenia.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 171 , Issue 4 , October 1997 , pp. 364 - 368
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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