Title:
DETERMINANTS OF WILLINGNESS TO PAY (WTP) FOR RIVER-BLINDNESS (ONCHOCERCIASIS) CONTROL/ ERADICATION AMONG AGRICULTURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

Authors:
Ogebe, F.O , Umeh, J.C and Idoko, D.A

Abstract:
The study was conducted to assess the determinants of Willingness to Pay (WTP) for Onchocerciasis control/ eradication among Agricultural Households in North-Central Nigeria. A survey method was used for the study and primary data were collected using structured questionnaire. The population of the study consisted of households affected with Onchocerciasis in North-Central Nigeria. Random Sampling Technique was used in selecting a sample size of 556 respondents from three states: Benue State having 206 respondents, Nasarawa State and Plateau State with 217 and 133 respondents respectively. The Nigerian Onchocerciasis Control Programme list of endemic Local Governments/ Villages was used to identify households infected with Onchocerciasis. Descriptive Statistics, Cost of illness Approach, Willingness to Pay for Onchocerciasis control using Logistic model were used in analysing the data. The descriptive statistics showed that majority (72.7%) of the respondents were males and married (82.6%) with average age of 46.4 years and average household size of 10 persons. Majority (70.2%) of the respondents were educated with only (29.8%) being illiterate. The Cost of illness approach revealed that the average direct cost of Onchocerciasis illness in the study area was N9, 886.57 per Household which is high enough to stretch the already tight expenditure budgets of the poor rural households. The results of Willingness to Pay indicated that on average, households were willing to pay N5, 300.30 per month to avoid Onchocerciasis attack. The variables that significantly discriminated among the amounts households will be willing to pay to eradicate Onchocerciasis were household income (0.542), level of education (0.127), marital status (2.413) and dependency status (1.855). The study recommends prioritizing domestic resource allocation for the treatment of Onchocerciasis for significant and sustained reduction in the burden of Onchocerciasis. This will improve the overall health status, enhance the social interactions and increase the economic productivity of the agricultural households of NorthCentral Nigeria and ensure food security of the nation.