Analytical Study of Diagnostic Imaging Utilisation Patterns and Associated Costs at Private Hospitals in Lagos State, South West Nigeria

Diagnostic imaging utilisation patterns and associated costs at private Nigerian hospitals reflect both clinical demand and economic drivers, including private insurance coverage, out-of-pocket payment capacity, and physician financial incentives. In Lagos State, where private healthcare provides a substantial share of diagnostic imaging services, empirical analysis of imaging utilisation and cost patterns fills a gap in health economics evidence relevant to imaging policy. This study analytically examines diagnostic imaging utilisation patterns and associated costs at private hospitals in Lagos State. A mixed retrospective and survey design analyses 1,200 imaging service records from twelve private hospitals across Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki over 2022 to 2023, documenting modality, examination category, imaging cost, payment method, and patient insurance status. Multivariate regression in SPSS identifies predictors of imaging utilisation frequency and cost per imaging episode, controlling for patient demographics and clinical presentation category. A structured survey of 80 referring clinicians examines knowledge of imaging costs and referral decision factors. Available private hospital imaging economics literature from South West Nigeria identifies CT utilisation rates two to three times higher than public hospitals for equivalent clinical presentations as evidence of possible over-utilisation driven by fee-for-service incentives. The induced demand theory and the rational referral model provide the analytical framework. Findings are expected to quantify the cost differential between private and public imaging and identify CT over-utilisation patterns. Recommendations address evidence-based private hospital imaging referral guidelines and insurance-linked utilisation management. Keywords: diagnostic imaging utilisation, imaging costs, private hospitals, Lagos State, health economics.