KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND UTILISATION OF OYO STATE HEALTH INSURANCE AGENCY AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN IBADAN SOUTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENTAREA OF OYO STATE

Abstract

Health insurance Scheme is a programme that shares the expenses associated with healthcare of individuals. The mode of operation of the formal sector of health insurance to which Oyo State Health insurance Agency (OYSHIA) belongs is such that the health services of the employees are addressed from funds pooled by the employer and the employees. This study investigated the knowledge, perception and utilisation of OYSHIA by Civil Servants in Ibadan South West Local Government Area (IBSWLGA) of Oyo state, Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. The total population of the permanent staff working in Ibadan south west Local Government Area was 235 and of this, only 217 gave to participate in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Knowledge was measured on an eleven point scale; scores less than 5.5 were classified as poor and scores of 5.5 and above were classified as good. Perception was measured on an eight point scale, scores lesser than 4 were classified as poor, while scores of 4 and above were classified as good. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test at p <0.05. The mean age of the respondents was 44±9.3years, while 64.0% of them were females, 83.0% of the respondents had a good knowledge of OYSHIA and the services it covers, seventy-seven percent showed a positive perception towards OYSHIA, 86.0% were registered members under the OYSHIA. Fifty-nine percent of the respondents, irrespective of whether they were registered members or not, indicated they had preference for healthcare services being offered by OYSHIA; twenty-two percent indicated they preferred to use healthcare service from another source; and about nineteen percent were indecisive. Forty-five percent of the respondents who had accessed the OYSHIA healthcare services confirmed availability of drugs and services demanded during usage. Association between respondents’ knowledge on OYSHIA and their utilization of the healthcare services under the OYSHIA revealed that having a good or bad knowledge did not significantly affect the level of usage of the OYSHIA services (p = 0.541). Also the level of usage of the OYSHIA services was not significantly associated with their perception level (p = 0.543). Low level of utilisation of the services of OYSHIA by the scheme members was observed from this study. Non-availability of drugs was cited for the low utilization. There is a need for adequate provision of necessary drugs and healthcare services, so as to encourage utilization. Seminars, workshops and other for a where civil servants can express the their mind barriers to utilization of the services of OYSHIA should be organized by the stake holders so as to deliberate on and take necessary actions needed to sort out these issues.