scholarly journals Factors Affecting Utilization of the National Health Insurance Scheme by Federal Civil Servants in Rivers State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110176
Author(s):  
Obelebra Adebiyi ◽  
Foluke Olukemi Adeniji
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Civil Servants ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Rivers State

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) of Nigeria was established in 2005. This study assessed the utilization of health care and associated factors amongst the federal civil servants using the NHIS in Rivers state. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires. Data were collated and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. A Chi-square test was carried out. The level of Confidence was set at 95%, and the P-value ≤ .05. Out of a total of 334 respondents, 280 (83.8%) were enrolled for NHIS, 203 (72.5%) utilized the services of the scheme. Most 181 (82.1%) of the respondents who utilized visited the facility at least once in the preceding year. Although, 123 (43.9%) of the respondents made payments at a point of access to health care services, overall there was a reduction in out of pocket payment. Possession of NHIS card, the attitude of health workers, and patients’ satisfaction were found to significantly affect utilization P ≤ .05. Regression analysis shows age and income to be a predictor of utilization of the NHIS. Though utilization is high, effort should be made to remove payment at the point of access and improving the harsh attitude of some of the health workers.

scholarly journals Ghana’s Journey towards Universal Health Coverage: The Role of the National Health Insurance Scheme

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kipo-Sunyehzi ◽  
Amogre Ayanore ◽  
Dzidzonu ◽  
Ayalsuma Yakubu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Universal Health Coverage ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Universal Health

: Background: the main aim of the study is to find if the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana is achieving universal health coverage (UHC) or not. The study gives the trajectories of health policies in Ghana and their implications on long term health financing. NHIS in Ghana was implemented in 2004, with the aim of increasing subscribers’ access to health care services and reduce financial barriers to health care. On equity access to healthcare, it addresses two core concerns: (1) enrolling particular groups (persons exempted from annual premium payments) and (2) achieving UHC for all citizens and persons with legal residence. It utilizes a multifactor approach to the conceptualization of UHC. The research question: is Ghana’s NHIS on course to deliver or achieve universal health coverage? Methods: we used qualitative methods. In doing so, the study engaged participants in in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observations of participants in their natural settings, like hospitals, clinics, offices and homes, with purposive and snowball techniques. This data triangulation approach aims to increase the reliability and validity of findings. Results: the empirical evidence shows NHIS performed relatively well in enrolling more exempt groups (particular groups) than enrolling all persons in Ghana (UHC). The biggest challenge for the implementation of NHIS from the perspectives of health insurance officials is inadequate funding. The health insurance beneficiaries complained of delays during registrations and renewals. They also complained of poor attitude of some health insurance officials and health workers at facilities. Conclusions: both health insurance officials and beneficiaries emphasized the need for increased public education and for implementers to adopt a friendly attitude towards clients. To move towards achieving UHC, there is a need to redesign the policy, to move it from current voluntary contributions, to adopt a broad tax-based approach to cover all citizens and persons with legal residence in Ghana. Also, to adopt a flexible premium payment system (specifically ‘payments by installation’ or ‘part payments’) and widen the scope of exempt groups as a way of enrolling more into the NHIS.

scholarly journals Access to health in city slum dwellers: The case of Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra, Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances E. Owusu-Ansah ◽  
Harry Tagbor ◽  
Mabel Afi Togbe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
Access To Health

Background: Rapid rural-urban migration of people to cities is a reality around the globe that has increased city slum dwellers. Sodom and Gomorrah is a city slum located in the heart of Accra, Ghana. Like other slums, it lacks basic amenities necessary for dwellers’ quality of life. This study describes residents’ access to health and factors associated with the use of healthcarefacilities.Methods: Questionnaires were administered in systematically selected shacks across the entire slum. Data on demographic characteristics, existent health facilities and number of users, health-insured residents and knowledge of common diseases were collected.Results: Majority of the residents were from the northern parts of Ghana, relative to the south and a few of them come from other parts of West Africa. Seventy-one percent of residents had never visited a health facility in the last 5 years. When necessary, they access health care from drug stores (61.1%) or hospitals (33.1%). Residents’ age, educational status, income, health knowledge and membership of National Health Insurance Scheme were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the use of healthcare facilities. Younger residents and those without National Health Insurance Scheme membership, formal education, no knowledge of common illnesses and regular income were significantly less likely to use a healthcare facility. For most residents, neither distance (73.2%) nor transportation to health facilities was a problem (74.1%).Conclusion: Conditions of profound environmental hazards, overcrowding, poor-quality housing and lack of health care in Sodom and Gomorrah pose grave threats to the health of the inhabitants. Multisectoral interventions and resource mobilisation championed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development are needed to alter the trend.Keywords: Slum dwellers, health, access, Sodom and Gomorra, Ghana

scholarly journals National Health Insurance Scheme: A pathway to a sustained access to medicine in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkoli P. Uguru ◽  
Udochukwu U. Ogu ◽  
Chibuzo C. Uguru ◽  
Ogochukwu Ibe
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
National Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
Health Insurance Scheme ◽  
List Type ◽  
Insurance Scheme ◽  
Access To Medicine

AbstractObjectiveThe National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has at its aim the need to ensure that every Nigerian has equal access to good quality health care services. So far, only the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Program (FSSHIP) aspect of the scheme has been fully activated. The question remains, why the delay towards universal coverage?DesignThe study was a cross-sectional and mixed method design. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized for the study.SettingThis study was conducted in NHIS accredited facilities in Enugu State.ParticipantsA sample of 300 enrolees were selected randomly. For the qualitative study, 6 in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted face to face with NHIS desk officers across the three tiers of health care represented.ResultsThe qualitative findings shows that 94.9% of respondents sought medical help. 78.4% of the respondents indicated that the scheme improved their access to care. The qualitative finding found that there was no discrepancy in access among socio-economic groups. NHIS was reported to have improved access to medicine over the years. In the qualitative, majority of the IDI respondents stated that many of the staff in NHIS accredited facilities are not trained on what is expected or required of them with regards to the scheme.ConclusionA focus on accessibility, affordability and availability for the scheme means that on account of either of the three, all facility categories and their interests must be considered in further planning of the scheme to ensure that things hold up fine.Article SummaryStrengths and LimitationsThe study participants were only from one state.The study only focused on NHIS and NHIS accredited facilities.NHIS desk officers, hospital directors and admin officers were the focus for IDIs.

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