Prevalence of health insurance enrolment and associated factors among persons with disabilities in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract Abstract: Research into healthcare-financing mechanisms remains an important public health issue and has therefore, received considerable attention in both international and local contexts. However, studies on healthcare-financing mechanisms among vulnerable population including persons with disabilities (PWDs) are under-researched in low- and middle-income countries. Based on this knowledge deficit, this study examined the prevalence of national health insurance scheme (NHIS) enrolment and associated factors among PWDs in Ghana. A cross-sectional survey with quantitative approach-accessed data from 180 PWDs from the Asokwa Municipality using simple random and cluster sampling techniques. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to estimate the demographic, socio-demographic and health-related factors associated with NHIS enrolment among PWDs in Ghana. The study revealed that the majority (80%) of the respondents had enrolled in the NHIS before with 65.3% being classified as active enrollees. The study revealed that 38.9% of the participants paid premium 21–25 cedis. The study found that males (AOR: 0.033, CI: 0.002–0.576, p = 0.019) and those who earned more than 500 cedis a month (AOR: 0.54, CI: 0.005–0.596, p = 0.017) were significantly less likely to enroll in NHIS. Furthermore, the study revealed that participants with primary education (AOR: 1.006, CI: 0.250–1.465, p = .021) and those with perceived poor health status (AOR: 4.140, CI: 0.275–62.406, p = 0.005) were significantly more likely to enroll in NHIS. In view of the study results, policy recommendations necessary for improving NHIS enrolment among PWDs have been offered.