Auditing the Cost of Treating Hypertension in a Tertiary Health Facility in Yobe State, North-Eastern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Studies quantifying the financial burden of hypertension are lacking, despite the high prevalence of this disease among Nigerian adults, together with its huge associated costs. AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the cost of hypertension treatment and blood pressure control among patients attending a tertiary health centre in Yobe, Nigeria. METHODS: The study utilised a cross-sectional study design, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect information from the respondents. Data on the cost of medications and laboratory investigations were collected from the hospital’s billing unit, while other costs were based on self-reporting by the patients. The overall cost of blood pressure control as well as cost-effectiveness for the different drug combinations were calculated. RESULTS: Most of the respondents were unemployed (62.2%), and out of those who were employed, 43.9% earned below the Nigerian minimum wage of ₦18,000. About a third (36.62%) of the respondents had their blood pressures controlled. The overall average cost of treating hypertension per patient per month was ₦3,374.00; and it was ₦3,474.00 for those who were employed, for whom it corresponded to 12% of their monthly income. The average cost of achieving one blood pressure control was ₦9,082.14. Mono-therapy with thiazide diuretics was the most cost-effective treatment option. CONCLUSION: The cost of treating hypertension in this study was on the high side, with a sub-optimal level of blood pressure control. Considering the high rate of unemployment, as well as the low income among those who were employed, there is a need for the government to subsidise hypertension treatment.