Determinants of decision to participate in NHIF among the non public workers in Tanzania: the case of Morogoro municipal council

This study sought to analyze the determinant of decision to participate in the National Health Insurance Fund among the nonpublic workers in Tanzania. The study employed primary data from Morogoro region. The analysis involved logistic regression model. It established that socio-economic characteristics, demographic characteristics, institutional arrangements and premium level have influence on the household’s decision to participate in NHIF. The analysis revealed that decision to participate in NHIF among nonpublic workers is influenced by number of factors of which they interplay altogether. The results indicate that age, education, marital status, income, distance, and awareness of NHIF operation and practices are factors influencing decision to participate in the National Health Insurance Fund. The study found higher prospects for future participation among household if the organization increases its efficiency in executing its operations. Policy implications of the study call for the quality intervention to focus on various aspects especially for service delivery in accredited health facilities. Strengthening institutional aspects like increasing awareness about health insurance benefit, instituting health insurance in academic curriculum, increasing accredited hospitals close to households’ residence, improving quality of services and instituting flexibility in payment. By doing so, it may presumably have a tangible impact on the health insurance participation among the nonpublic workers.