Knowledge of community-based health insurance and associated factors among artisans in a selected community of Ekiti State

Abstract

Background: The Community-Based Health Insurance Scheme (CBHIS) (National Health Insurance Scheme [NHIS]) pools the risk of high costs of health care across a large number of individuals, and it permits payment of a premium based on the average cost of health care for the group of people. This function of spreading risk in NHIS helps in making the cost of health-care services affordable for many individuals. Aim: This study which is aimed at assessing the knowledge of Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHIS) among artisans in Ekiti State will help in identifying and implementing strategies to widen health insurance services to this group of nonformal sector. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 respondents using a systematic random sampling technique among the skilled occupational group vis-a-vis bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, hair stylist, and tailors. Data were collated using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using IBM SPSS version 23. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were used to assess the association between dependent and independent variables. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The study participant mean age was 29.7 ± 10.9 years, majority were females (57.5%), and 46.9% had tertiary education. 53.1% were aware of health insurance, but only 24% were aware of CBHIS. Just about a fifth of the respondents (18.3%) had good knowledge of CBHIS. Significant factors and predictors of knowledge of CBHIS in this study include female gender, tertiary level of education, higher family income, and higher frequency of illness. Conclusion: The awareness and knowledge of CBHIS among artisans in Ekiti State is still very low. Factors associated with the low knowledge include gender, level of education, frequency of illness, and family income. Therefore, efforts at improving awareness and educating members of the public about the scheme will be beneficial.