BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a life-long illness that affects the quality of life, requiring close monitoring and control. Type 2 DM is preventable and controllable but increasing cost of care could hinder access to quality care because of inability to pay leading to high morbidity, mortality and productivity losses. The people living with diabetes mellitus (PLWD) in Nigeria have high risk for high economic burden and catastrophic expenditure not only because they make frequent visits to the health facilities, report late with complications but also pay out of pocket at the point of accessing care. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of economic burden borne and catastrophic costs incurred by PLWD in Nigeria.MethodsCross-sectional descriptive survey design was used to study a sample of 308 type2 PLWD managed at a tertiary health institution, South east Nigeria using semi-structured, prevalidated questionnaire. Data collection period was 2 months.ResultsThe major findings were economic burden of type 2 DM of N56,245 ($356). Catastrophic direct cost was 45 % at 30 % threshold (the determinant level for catastrophic spending set). All socio-economic status (SES) groups suffered catastrophic expenditure but the poorest quartile had the highest incidence.ConclusionsEconomic burden of DM was high for PLWD who also suffered high catastrophic costs due to the impact of out of pocket payment. PLWD need financial protection especially for the poorest since they buy from the same market and incur same costs. Policy decision making to assist the PLWD cope with cost of care is needful in Nigeria and nations with related problems.

The use of any method of family planning by women is often influenced by their husbands. This qualitative study assessed the perception of married men in respect of spousal use of modern contraceptives. Nine focus-group discussions were conducted among consenting married men in the study area. Some participants perceived modern contraceptives as a good way of limiting the number of children by married couples. However, most of them were opposed to a woman initiating the use of family planning method or initiating family planning discussion. The majority were unanimous that allowing a woman to use modern contraceptives gives room for infidelity on the part of the woman. Almost all the discussants posited that it is a mark of disrespect for the man if a woman adopts the use of modern contraceptives without the husband's consent. A good number believed that love, joint decision-making, truthfulness, and trust among couples can help in limiting some of the suspicions and the fears they expressed.