Browsing by Author "Omanyo, Daniel Odhiambo"

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    Determinants for participation in a public health insurance programme the case of national hospital insurance fund in Kenya
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2015) Omanyo, Daniel Odhiambo
    Access to health insurance is vital in improving universal access to and utilization of health care services by the population of a given country. Universal coverage and universal access results into a healthy nation and thus accelerated economic growth and development through higher education attainment, peace and improved labor productivity. This study empirically investigates the demand side factors that influence participation into public health insurance in Kenya utilizing cross-sectional data obtained from KDHS 2008-09. Its objectives are to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors (wealth status, employment, residence and age) on the participation into the NHIF scheme, determine the influence of exposure to media (frequencies of listening to radio, watching television and reading newspaper) on the participation into the NHIF scheme, and to identify measures which could be taken to enable more enrollment of Kenyans into the NHIF scheme. It utilizes logit regression techniques on both male and female datasets to examine the relationship between participating into the NHIF programme and the aforementioned socio-demographic factors and exposure to media. The results indicate that wealth status, employment status and education attained are significant in influencing individuals’ participation into the scheme. In addition, inadequate exposure to media prevents many individuals from enrolling into the scheme. The study therefore recommends promotion of education; job creation, and poverty alleviation to enable many people participate due to increased ability to purchase a cover. Furthermore, NHIF as an institution should redesign the programme to capture the rural market and also actively involve itself in creating awareness on its services to the rural population and those who are inadequately exposed to media.