Understanding unmet health-care need among older Ghanaians: a gendered analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Vincent Z. Kuuire ◽  
Eric Y. Tenkorang ◽  
Prince M. Amegbor ◽  
Mark Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Income Quintile ◽  
Insurance Status ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
Health Care Need ◽  
Health Insurance Status ◽  
Unmet Health Care Need ◽  
The Rich

Abstract Health insurance schemes are important for bridging gaps in health-care needs between the rich and poor, especially in contexts where poverty is higher among seniors (persons aged 65 years and above). In this study we examined (a) gender-based predictors of unmet health-care need among seniors and (b) whether access was influenced by wealth status (measured by income quintiles). Gender-specific negative log–log regression models were fitted to data from the Study on Global Ageing and Health to examine associations between unmet health-care need and health insurance status controlling for theoretically relevant covariates. Insurance status was an important determinant of men and women's unmet health-care need but the relationship was moderated by income quintile for women and not men. While occupation was important for men, religion, marital status and income quintile were significantly associated with women's unmet health-care need. Based on the observed gender differences, we recommend the implementation of programmes aimed at improving the economic situation of older people, particularly women.

scholarly journals Relationship between Health Insurance Status and the Pattern of Traditional Medicine Utilisation in Ghana

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razak Mohammed Gyasi
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Insurance Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Health Insurance Status

This paper examines the relationship between national health insurance status and the pattern of traditional medicine (TRM) use among the general population in Ghana. A retrospective cross-sectional survey of randomly sampled adults, aged ≥18 years (N=324), was conducted. The results indicate that TRM use was high with prevalence of over 86%. The study found no statistically significant association between national health insurance status and TRM utilisation (P>0.05). Paradoxically, major sources of TRM, frequency of TRM use, comedical administration, and disclosure of TRM use to health care professionals differed significantly between the insured and uninsured subgroups (P<0.001). Whereas effectiveness of TRM predicted its use for both insured [odds ratio (OR) = 4.374 (confidence interval (CI): 1.753–10.913;P=0.002)] and uninsured [OR = 3.383 CI: 0.869–13.170;P=0.039)], work experience predicted TRM use for the insured [OR = 1.528 (95% CI: 1.309–1.900;P=0.019)]. Cultural specific variables and health philosophies rather than health insurance status may influence health care-seeking behaviour and TRM use. The enrollment of herbal-based therapies on the national health insurance medicine plan is exigent to ensure monitoring and rational use of TRM towards intercultural health care system in Ghana.

397 Health Insurance Status in Subjects at High Risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A158-A158
Author(s):  
Adnan Abbasi ◽  
Sameepya Thatipelli
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Sleep Apnea ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Insurance Status ◽  
Health Insurance Status ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Introduction Undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a major public health problem. Undiagnosed OSA can result in decreased productivity due to absenteeism, increased risk of comorbidities (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression), and increased motor vehicle as well as workplace accidents. Lack of health insurance coverage can lead to undiagnosed and therefore untreated OSA. The objective of this study is to evaluate health insurance status in subjects at high-risk for OSA. Methods This is a cross-sectional, population-based study of adults 18 years and older who participated in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A modified STOP-Bang score was used to calculate OSA risk. This score included all the variables from the standard STOP-Bang questionnaire, except neck circumference, since it was not reported in the NHANES survey. Subjects were divided into two groups: those at low-risk for OSA with a modified STOP-Bang score of ≤ 3 and those at high-risk for OSA with a modified STOP-Bang score of &gt;4. Results A total of 4,847 adult subjects were included, which represented 223,385,241 of the U.S. non-institutionalized population. Using the modified STOP-Bang score cutoff of &gt;4, 20.9% of the sample were classified as high-risk for OSA, while 79.1% were classified as low-risk for OSA. 90% of the high-risk OSA group and 85.1% of the low-risk OSA group reported having health insurance. Sociodemographic data will also be analyzed and included. Conclusion Approximately 10% of subjects who are at high-risk for OSA reported not having health insurance. This represents over 4.6 million Americans in the non-institutionalized population. Health insurance can improve access to health care. Timely diagnosis and treatment of OSA not only can reduce morbidity and mortality, but can also reduce health care costs. Support (if any) CDC for NHANES Data.

scholarly journals Modern or traditional health care? Understanding the role of insurance in health-seeking behaviours among older Ghanaians

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prince M. Amegbor ◽  
Vincent Z. Kuuire ◽  
Elijah Bisung ◽  
Joseph A. Braimah
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
World Health ◽  
Income Quintile ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Wealth Status ◽  
The Poor

Abstract Aim: This paper examined the association between wealth and health insurance status and the use of traditional medicine (TM) among older persons in Ghana. Background: There have been considerable efforts by sub-Saharan African countries to improve access to primary health care services, partly through the implementation of risk-pooling community or national health insurance schemes. The use of TM, which is often not covered under these insurance schemes, remains common in many countries, including Ghana. Understanding how health insurance and wealth influence the use of TM, or otherwise, is essential to the development of equitable health care policies. Methods: The study used data from the first wave of the World Health Organisation’s Study of Global Ageing and Adult Health conducted in Ghana in 2008. Descriptive statistics and negative loglog regression models were fitted to the data to examine the influence of insurance and wealth status on the use of TM, controlling for theoretically relevant factors. Findings: Seniors who had health insurance coverage were also 17% less likely to frequently seek treatment from a TM healer relative to the uninsured. For older persons in the poorest income quintile, the odds of frequently seeking treatment from TM increased by 61% when compared to those in the richest quintile. This figure was 46%, 62% and 40% for older persons in poorer, middle and richer income quintiles, respectively, compared to their counterparts in the richest income quintile. Conclusion: The findings indicate that TM was primarily used by the poor and persons who were not enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme. TM continues to be a vital health care resource for the poor and uninsured older adults in Ghana.

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