Awareness, Attitude and Willingness of Artisans in Osun State Southwestern Nigeria to Participate in Community Based Health Insurance

Abstract

Introduction: Community Based Health Insurance Scheme was recently launched in Nigeria with a view to reducing the burden of out-of-pocket expenditure on health most especially among Nigerians in the informal sector. The objective of this study is to assess the awareness, attitude and willingness of artisans in Osun state to take part in Community based health insurance scheme in Nigeria.
Methods: Descriptive cross sectional survey of 387 artisans in Osun state in South-western Nigeria. Respondents were selected using multi stage sampling method. Research instruments were semi structured interviewer administered pre tested questionnaires that was divided into five sections. Data was analysed using the SPSS software.
Results: Mean age of the artisans was 33.1 ± 11.2 years. One hundred and twenty six (76.4% ) of those who always visit the hospital when ill) used out of pocket as their form of health care financing. One hundred and twelve (28.9%) of the respondents have heard of health insurance before. Only fifteen (3.9%) of the artisans had been on any forms of Health Insurance, of which 13(86.7%) were on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Twenty five (6.5%) of artisans had heard of community health insurance before and only 2(0.5%) were enrolled in a form of Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI). Most of the respondents (319; 82.4%) were willing to participate (WTP) in Health Insurance with the preferred organizer being governmen (236; 74.0%). The mean amount of money respondents were willing to contribute monthly per household was 1,121.8 ± 14.04 Naira. There was a statistically significant relationship between awareness about CBHI and educational status (p=0.003), and between WTP in health insurance and monthly income (p=0.014). The amount respondents were willing to pay monthly for health insurance was found to be significantly associated with their monthly income (p<0.001) and their educational status (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Artisan's awareness about CBHIS is low. Most artisans showed favourable attitude towards participating in a Government backed and well organised scheme, as well as a good attitude towards willingness to pay in the scheme.