Author: Malau, Samuel Zakka, Mapis, Priscilla Istifanus and Gyang Martha kangyang, Msc, BSC

Abstract: This study investigated the influence of public expenditures on healthcare and health outcomes among selected residents in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Four specific objectives and four hypotheses were developed for the study. A survey research design was adopted and a 24-item validated questionnaire was used for data collection. It has two sections: Section A and B. Section A elicited responses on the demographic characteristics of respondents while Section B focused on public expenditures on healthcare and health outcome variables. Each sub-independent variable of the study was measured by six items. Each of the subscales constituted a 4-point Likert scale. Cronbach Alpha statistics was used to establish the reliability at .79. The study covered some selected residence in Cross River State. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select the sample of five hundred (500) respondents drawn from both health workers, in-patients, and out-patients as well as residents of the study area. In order to make a good randomization in the study, the study area was divided into eighteen basic clusters to represent each Local Government Area. Two trained research assistants who were health workers from the eighteen Local Government Areas were used to administer the questionnaires and also conduct the interviews. One–Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistical tool was used for data analysis. Findings revealed that public expenditures in healthcare in terms of provision of health services, family planning activities, nutritional activities, and emergency aids did not significantly influence health outcomes in the study area. It was concluded that there is no significant influence of public expenditures on healthcare and health outcomes among selected residents in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended among others that sanctions and strict disciplinary measures should be administered by the State government on culprits who are caught in misappropriating public expenditures in healthcare services as this would serve as a deterrent to other intending wrongdoers.

Keywords: Public expenditures, healthcare, health outcome, residents