Economic Burden of Diabetes and Hypertension: A Study of Direct and Indirect Cost of Treatment in Southeast Nigeria

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension is increasing yearly in many low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. The increasing burden of these noncommunicable diseases has led to an increase in the overall cost of health care. This study aimed at determining the direct and indirect health care costs of diabetes mellitus and hypertension occurring both singly and in co-morbidity. The study was undertaken in the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (a tertiary hospital) in Enugu State, Southeast Nigeria. Data were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. Out of 817 patients interviewed, 37% had only diabetes mellitus, 35% had hypertension, and 28% had both diabetes mellitus and hypertension in co-morbidity. Direct costs of treating diabetes mellitus and hypertension in the month before the survey were $28.40 and $19.35, respectively, while the indirect costs of treatment in the month before the study were $7.36 and $5.51, respectively. Direct and indirect costs for diabetes mellitus and hypertension in co-morbidity were $37.00 and $4.62, respectively. A concentration index showed that diabetes mellitus and hypertension were more evident among the poor than the rich. The economic cost when compared with patients’ income revealed that > 25% of their income is spent monthly on health care.