Cost Analysis of Maternal Healthcare Services among Selected Patients in Kano State, Nigeria

This research provides a quantitative evaluation of the economic barriers to facility-based maternal delivery in Kano State, Nigeria. Utilizing primary data collected through cross-sectional surveys, the study analyzes the "Affordability Crisis" by identifying both direct and hidden costs such as transportation and medication stock-outs that drive out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure. The findings reveal that 70% of households face catastrophic economic burdens, directly correlating with a high rate of high-risk home births. The study concludes with evidence-based recommendations for policy interventions and demand-side financing (DSF) to improve maternal health outcomes and support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. Keywords: Health Economics, Maternal Health, Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOP), Kano State, Public Finance, Cost Analysis, Nigeria.