Socioeconomic Impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases on Households in Ungwan Rukuba, Jos, Nigeria

Background Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) continue to present a major problem in resource-constrained settings, imposing heavy socioeconomic impacts. Endemic onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and schistosomiasis continue to exist in Ungwan Rukuba, Jos, Nigeria, but there is scanty evidence on their impact on household income, productivity, education, and social wellbeing. Methods A structured questionnaire was administered in a cross-sectional household survey among 723 participants. The data gathered included demographics, knowledge and exposure to NTDs, morbidity, care-seeking behaviour, direct and indirect treatment costs, catastrophic health spending, productivity loss, stigma, and education-related outcomes. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used, and chi-square tests were performed to determine associations between household characteristics and the burden of NTDs. Results There was a significant proportion of households that experienced NTD-related impacts over the last year. Mean household spending covered both direct medical and non-medical expenses, while loss of productivity was measured in terms of lost workdays per illness episode. Catastrophic health expenditure was experienced in a high proportion of households, with borrowing and disinvestment in assets being frequent coping measures. NTD morbidity impacted on children through school absenteeism and poor school performance. Social stigmatization was frequently reported and took the form of exclusion from community activities and lower participation. Robust associations were detected between household income, educational attainment, and risk of catastrophic health expenditure (p < 0.05). Conclusion NTDs in Ungwan Rukuba pose an empirically complicated burden that extends beyond the health sector to economic risk, lost productivity, educational disruption, and social exclusion. Actionable responses demand integrated approaches that align equitable health financing, enhanced access to healthcare, reducing stigma, and community-based solutions to counteract the far-reaching impacts of NTDs.