Benefit Incidence Analysis of Public Health Expenditures and Households ’ Caregiver Preferences in

The study seeks to determine the factors that influence public health care seeking behaviour based on the poverty status of households in rural areas. The primary data were collected with wellstructured questionnaire while the secondary data were obtained from the local government health records. Descriptive analytical methods, benefit incidence analysis and Multinomial logit regression were employed for data analysis. The results show that average spending on health by households is N456.40, while the health subsidy accruing to household from government is N687.98. Benefit incidence analysis shows majority of government spending accrue to the poorest segment of the population. Also, the factors that significantly influence (p<0.05) households patronage of private clinics are years of education, presence of hygiene facilities and registration cost. Furthermore, age of household head, family size, presence of hygiene facilities, communication access (GSM), drug and registration cost will make household patronise chemist. Years of education of household head, registration cost and hygiene facilities will make household patronise self-care. Adequate education to alert households of the risks involved in inadequate decision regarding health problems and adequate funding of government hospitals were recommended, among others. [Onademeru, S. and A.S. Oyekale. Benefit Incidence Analysis of Public Health Expenditures and Households’ Caregiver Preferences in Ogun State, Nigeria. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):123-130]. (ISSN: 10978135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 21