Modelling Outpatients Cost of Wound Dressing in Nigeria: A Prospective Study

Abstract Background: Estimating the direct cost of wound dressing poses a challenge to patients, nurse managers, hospital administrators, health maintenance organisations and other policy makers. This study therefore model the weekly cost of wound dressing in South West NigeriaMethods: A descriptive cross sectional research design was utilized to assess the cost of wound dressing among outpatients’ clinics attendees. An inventory of direct cost of wound dressing per week consisting of cost of materials, lotion and consumables were recorded. The data collection was for period of three months in three selected Teaching Hospitals South West Nigeria. Then modelling weekly cost of wound types was done by regression analysis. The effect of various independent variables such as age, occupation, family size, monthly income, aetiology, diagnosis, wound type, comorbidities, frequency of wound dressing and health insurance coverage on cost of wound dressing per week was considered. Ethical approval was obtained from each of the hospital and Covid-19 precautions were observed.1 USD equalled ₦570Results: The estimated cost of wound dressing per week with no contribution from other variables was found to be ₦36,922- Open wound, ₦6011-Leg ulcer, ₦3768- Cancer wound, ₦2785- Diabetic Foot Ulcer, ₦610-Surgical wound. Only frequency of wound dressing was found to contribute to weekly cost of leg ulcers (P value= 0.003)Conclusions: The estimated cost of various type of wound provides yardstick for determining the weekly cost of wound dressing in Nigeria. Also, frequency of wound dressing is a major determinant of the outpatient cost of dressing. Therefore, it is imperative for nurses to render high quality wound care to match up with the huge financial commitment from patients and families