Catastrophic Healthcare Expenditure Among Households in Sunyani West District, Bono Region of Ghana

<jats:p>Abstract Catastrophic Healthcare Expenditure (CHE) among households is a global menace challenging the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). CHE refers to expenditure made by households on healthcare exceeding a certain proportion of the overall household income. This study assessed the prevalence of CHE; the socio-economic factors associated with CHE and the strategies for coping with CHE among households in the Sunyani West District of Ghana. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted among 300 households’ that reported illnesses within the past three months. A multistage sampling technique was used to select the participants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using STATA version 12.1. Descriptive statistics on the prevalence of CHE were generated. Logistic regression was performed to identify the socio-economic factors associated with CHE. The results showed that CHE prevalence was (55.1%) at 10% threshold and (31.5%) at 15% threshold. Respondent’s age, marital status, educational status, occupation, household size, and type of health facility were statistically significantly (p&lt;0.05; 95% CI) associated with CHE. Reliance on support from families, borrowing from friends/ families, and using personal savings were the main strategies households used to cope with CHE. Conclusively, CHE among households was slightly high, and has affected the household income level and has pushed many households into poverty, with significant factors influencing its occurrence. The study, therefore, recommends that the Government of Ghana through Parliament should increase the NHIS levy to enable the NHIS to provide services that cover the full cost of treatment for all diseases.</jats:p>