Awareness, knowledge and participation of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) among nurses in a tertiary healthcare institution in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was implemented as part of health reform programmes aimed at providing effective health care to all Nigerian citizens. Despite the noble objectives and the enormous benefits of the scheme , little is known about how involved the health workers are. Aim: This study assessed the awareness, knowledge and participation of NHIS among nurses in a tertiary healthcare setting. Methods: The study population was nurses in the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, Southwest Nigeria. Data was collected using a validated, semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. Variables assessed included; sociodemographic data, awareness, knowledge and participation regarding NHIS. Data were analysed using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16 then presented as descriptive analysis and cross tabulation of variables. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 38.3±5.4 years, 98.0% were females and 85.6% were married. There was high level of awareness of the existence of NHIS as evidenced by 57.9 % of the respondents having information on NHIS from seminars. Majority (76.5%) had good knowledge of the NHIS (scores of 4-5/5 correct responses) with the remaining 23.3% having fair knowledge (scores of 2-3/5 correct responses). However, only 3.3 % of the nurses were currently registered and participating in the scheme . The age of respondents had statistically significant relationship with the level of knowledge (X2=9.40; p<0.05). Conclusion: There was high level of awareness on National Health Insurance Scheme among nurses in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, which did not translate to participation in the scheme