Knowledge, Accessibility and Utilization of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Among Registered Employees of Federal Government Institutions in Ebonyi State: Lessons for Medical Social Workers.
IF 1.7 4区 医学Q3 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Paulinus Sunday Okah, Uzoma Odera Okoye, Christian Chidozie Iyiani, Samuel Obinna Ebimgbo, Chinyere Edith Onalu, Gabriel Usiagu Aghedo
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Like most low-and-middle-income countries, Nigeria has been finding it difficult to meet the basic needs of her populace including their health needs. Nigerians are dying of preventable diseases because of poverty and the lack of a functional healthcare system. As a result, the Nigerian government introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to cater to the health needs of its population. This study assessed the knowledge, accessibility and utilization of the NHIS among registered employees of federal government institutions in Ebonyi state. The study used Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) to collect data from 43 participants. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that most of the participants have accessed and utilized the scheme and saw it as a good healthcare system. They also reported a lack of most of the prescribed drugs and inadequate personnel at the NHIS clinics which is impacting the effectiveness of the scheme. The paper recommends that NHIS should create more awareness about the scheme, and cover more dependents, drugs, tests, and treatment bills to make it more effective in healthcare delivery.
期刊介绍:
Social Work in Public Health (recently re-titled from the Journal of Health & Social Policy to better reflect its focus) provides a much-needed forum for social workers and those in health and health-related professions. This crucial journal focuses on all aspects of policy and social and health care considerations in policy-related matters, including its development, formulation, implementation, evaluation, review, and revision. By blending conceptual and practical considerations, Social Work in Public Health enables authors from many disciplines to examine health and social policy issues, concerns, and questions.