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An assessment of the contribution of healthcare expenditure to life expectancy at birth in Nigeria

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Abstract

Aim

This study assessed the contributions of the healthcare expenditure to life expectancy at birth in Nigeria for a period of 18 years (2000–2017).

Subject and methods

The study adopted an exp post facto research design using time series data that were sourced from the World Bank annual report on the human development indicators. Robust least squares regression was adopted to estimate the model and test the study hypotheses.

Results

Domestic general government health expenditure, out-of-pocket payment and external health expenditure had respective significant positive effects on life expectancy in Nigeria for the period under review. Specifically, when other variables are held constant, a $1% increase in the domestic general government health expenditure would lead to 6% increase in life expectancy at birth in Nigeria. Similarly, a $1% increase in out-of-pocket health expenditure would lead to 63% enhancement in life expectancy. Moreover, 11% improved life expectancy at birth will depend on a 1% increase in external health expenditure.

Conclusions

Life expectancy in Nigeria was significantly influenced by the healthcare system funding sources for the past 18 years (2000–2017). However, out-of-pocket payment had the most significant positive effect on life expectancy in the country for the period under review.

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Availability of data and materials

The data used for this study have been deposited as supplementary materials.

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Funding

This study was not supported with funding from any source.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    B. E. OWUMI & Alfred EBOH

Authors
  1. B. E. OWUMI
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  2. Alfred EBOH
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Contributions

The first author conceived the idea of the study by suggesting the topic and writing the theoretical framework. Meanwhile, the second author handled the methodology and the analysis of the data, down to the conclusions and recommendations under the close supervision of the first author. However, both authors read and approved the manuscript before the submission.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alfred EBOH.

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The authors have agreed that the data for this study could be published.

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The authors hereby state that there is no competing interest regarding this manuscript.

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OWUMI, B.E., EBOH, A. An assessment of the contribution of healthcare expenditure to life expectancy at birth in Nigeria. J Public Health (Berl.) 30, 2113–2121 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01546-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-021-01546-6

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