Demand for Health Insurance among the Elderly in Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Saiti, Nelly
Yitambe, Andrea
Korir, Julius
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJIRAS
Abstract
The aging population is likely to increase the demand for health care services and social support in Kenya. As reported
at the world health assembly, health systems should provide health interventions and financial protection to all individuals regardless
of age. The Kenyan government has been trying to address critical issues related to older persons and their health by protecting their
rights to equitable, accessible quality of health care through policy formulations such as the NSHIF bill of 2004, development of the
“10/20” user fee policy at health centres and dispensaries and even incorporating their needs in the current constitution but
considering the increasing number of older persons and the existing limited resources, these efforts may not be felt by most of the
population more so to those who rely on their individual savings for use in accessing care. This study therefore sought to investigate
demand for health insurance among the elderly in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The variables tested were socio-demographic
characteristics, health system characteristics, actual barriers of health insurance ownership and their influence on the demand for
health insurance. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey research design. A multi-stage sampling approach was
adopted. Nairobi North administrative Unit in Nairobi City County was randomly selected as the study area. Proportionate sampling
approach was used to allow for equal allocation of sample representatives in the area. Data collection tools employed both qualitative
and quantitative parameters. Data was analysed using STATA to assess relationship between variables by applying the binary logistic
regression technique. Thematic analysis using Nvivo 10 was done for qualitative data. The findings showed that the proportion of the
elderly without health insurance cover was at 67%. Only 33% of respondents had a health insurance cover. Majority (37%) of those
with a health insurance cover were covered under the National health insurance scheme. Most of the socio-demographic
characteristics (age, gender, marital status and religion) were not significantly associated with demand for health insurance. For sociodemographic characteristics, income (χ
2
= 42.004a
,df=6, p=0.001) and education (χ
2
=48.572a
, df=6, p=0.001) were significantly
associated with demand for health insurance while for health system factors, the study found that being comfortable paying premium to
health insurance firm (χ2=73.302a
,df=1, P=0.0001), health insurance affordability (χ
2
=95.262a
,df=1, P=0.001), health care workers
offering information on health insurance(χ
2
=46.512a ,df=4, p=0.001) and health care providers asking for health insurance card from
clients(χ
2
=37.804a
,df=4,p=0.001) were significantly associated with demand for health insurance. Age (χ
2
=4.675a df=1, p=0.031) was a
barrier to health insurance demand as there was a significant relationship at 95% confidence Interval. The study found a positive
relationship between odds ratio for demand for health insurance and predictors of affording health insurance premium, having
knowledge of health insurance, having any post- secondary education and being comfortable paying for health insurance cover. The
null hypothesis for this study was rejected as there was an association between socio- demographic characteristics, health system
factors, actual barriers and demand for health insurance. Findings from the study will assist NHIF to expand their services among the
elderly. A study should be done to analyse the changing patterns of health insurance demand following the recent development on
health insurance subsidy program for the elderly in Kenya.
Description
Article
Keywords
Demand, Health Insurance, Elderly, Nairobi City County, Kenya
Citation
Saiti, N., Yitambe, A., & Korir, J. (2020). Demand For Health Insurance Among The Elderly In Nairobi City County, Kenya. International Journal of Innovative Research and Advanced Studies, 7(7).