Willingness-to-pay for a population-based-prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer in Anambra State, Southeast, Nigeria: a contingent valuation study

Abstract

Background: Early diagnosis of cancer precursors improves treatment outcomes. Organized screening for prostate cancer is still uncommon in Nigeria, and if it is added to the national health budget, it may necessitate additional co-financing alternatives. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the maximum willingness- to- pay amount and acceptability of a Population-based screening for prostate cancer among a group of Nigerian men. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey-based study conducted among men drawn from different districts of the state. The payment card elicitation format was used to estimate the average maximum WTP amount. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlates of WTP. Result: A total of 439(81.9%) participants were willing to pay for the screening while only 97(18.1%) of the participants rejected the screening. The average WTP amount was US$6.01(mean ± median ± SD 6.01±4.12±5.75). Residence and knowledge of the disease were the major predictors. Conclusion: The findings showed that men in Anambra state Nigerian were willing to pay an average of US$6.01 for the Population-based screening. Even though the stated WTP amount seems low compared to the conventional cost of opportunistic screening (between USD 21), the majority of the participants 439(81.9%) willing to pay for the screening should be capitalized upon in finding alternative financing options for the program. Keywords: Willingness to pay (WTP); prostate-specific antigen (PSA); Population-based screening; prostate cancer; contingent valuation study; Anambra state; Nigeria.