Peer-reviewed article
The cost of inaction on preconception health in Nigeria: An economic impact analysis.
Poix S, Elmusharaf K ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study quantifies the economic and health burden of poor preconception health in Nigeria, examining six risk factors including adolescent pregnancy, short birth intervals, obesity, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, and folate deficiency. Poor preconception health was found to cause 6.7% of maternal deaths, 10.9% of perinatal deaths, and 10.5% of late neonatal deaths in 2020. The total economic cost was estimated at US$3.3 billion in 2020, with potential losses of US$46.2 billion by 2035 if current rates persist. The analysis highlights the urgent need for preconception health interventions and policies.
Key points
- Six preconception risk factors (adolescent pregnancy, short birth interval, overweight/obesity, intimate partner violence, FGM, folate deficiency) were associated with 6.7% of maternal deaths, 10.9% of perinatal deaths, and 10.5% of late neonatal deaths in Nigeria in 2020
- The economic burden of poor preconception health in Nigeria was US$3.3 billion in 2020
- Over 90% of the economic burden was generated by premature mortality
- Projected economic losses could reach US$46.2 billion by 2035 if prevalence rates remain constant
- This is the first country-level estimate of the economic burden of poor preconception health
Limitations
The study is based on modelled estimates using international databases and literature rather than primary data collection, so actual costs may vary. The analysis focuses only on six preconception risk factors and does not capture the full spectrum of preconception health issues that may affect maternal and child outcomes.
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has shown the effects of poor preconception health on adverse pregnancy outcomes and, subsequently, maternal and child morbidity and mortality. However, the cost of poor preconception health remains relatively unexplored. Using the case of Nigeria, this study provides the first estimate of the disease and economic burden of poor preconception health at a country level. Using data from international databases and the scientific literature, the study used a cost-of-illness approach to quantify the foregone productivity and direct healthcare costs resulting from six preconception risk factors (adolescent pregnancy, short birth interval, overweight and obesity, intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation, folate deficiency). The results indicate that 6.7% of maternal deaths, 10.9% of perinatal deaths, and 10.5% of late neonatal deaths were attributable to the selected preconception risk factors in 2020. The economic burden of poor preconception health in Nigeria was estimated at US$ 3.3 billion in 2020, of which over 90% was generated by premature mortality. If prevalence rates remain constant, total economic losses could amount to US$ 46.2 billion by 2035. This analysis paves the way for further studies investigating the economic costs and benefits of preconception interventions and policies in low and middle-income countries.