Uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector: the case of Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia Counties
Date
2023
Authors
Macharia, M. N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Health insurance schemes are often hailed as key to enhancing universal health coverage which is part of the Sustainable Development Goals. The current health insurance uptake in Kenya still lags behind most other developing countries as the data indicates that health insurance uptake has mainly been limited to the middle-class and upper-class citizens within the country. The main objective of the study was therefore to determine the factors influencing uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector in Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia Counties. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the effect of mass education campaigns, demographic factors, socio economic status and the effect of quality of service on the uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector in Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia Counties. The study used Rational Choice theory and Nudge theory and adopted a descriptive research design. The target population comprised of 11,894 informal workers from Tharaka Nithi County and 13,246 informal workers from Laikipia County registered with NHIF. The stratified random technique was used to obtain 394 respondents. The study used structured close-ended questions to collect primary data. Analysis was done quantitatively by employing inferential and descriptive statistics. Presentation of data was done through frequencies, mean, standard deviation and percentages and presented in form of tables. The study found a positive association between mass education campaigns and uptake and retention of NHIF. There existed a moderate positive relationship between demographic factors and uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector in Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia Counties. There was a positive association between socio economic status and uptake and retention of NHIF. There was also a moderate positive relationship between the quality of service and uptake and retention of NHIF. Based on these findings, the study recommends that NHIF should further the mass education campaigns so reach to an even a larger audience to increase the uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector. The NHIF should also consider targeted tariffs for various groups of people so as not to limit the uptake to some. The NHIF scheme could also be organized in a way that accommodates those in different occupations, with different educational backgrounds and income levels. Finally, NHIF should encourage and maintain the sufficiency in healthcare service delivery in the counties to promote the uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector.
Key Words: NHIF, mass education campaigns, demographic factors, socio economic status, quality of service.
Description
Full- text thesis
Keywords
Citation
Macharia, M. N. (2023). Uptake and retention of NHIF by the informal sector: The case of Tharaka Nithi and Laikipia Counties [Strathmore University]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/13379