Enrollment in NHIS and access to healthcare: A case study of migrant female headporters at the Central Business District of Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana

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2015-04-21
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Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess the female migrants‟ enrollment in NHIS and their access to healthcare in the Kumasi Metropolis using a descriptive cross sectional study design. A total of 665 migrant female headporters were selected using a snowballing sampling method from Kejetia, Adum shopping centre, Kumasi Central Market, Bantama market and Asafo market for this study. The study used questionnaire for collecting data. The data were then analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0). It was realized from the study that migrant female headporters had some level of knowledge about the NHIS and majority of them heard about NHIS through radio advertisement from various FM stations. The study found that not all migrant female headporters in the Kumasi Metropolis were enrolled in NHIS and 17.4% of the non- subscribers had made up their minds not to enroll in the scheme. Educational attainment and income levels were found to influence enrollment in NHIS. The majority of migrant female headporters did not visit health facility at their first sign of sickness and NHIS had increased access to healthcare among the migrant female headporters in the Kumasi Metropolis. The major challenge facing the migrant female headporters in accessing healthcare was financial factor. Some of the migrant female headporters went to hospitals without their NHIS cards and preferred to be treated under the “cash and carry” system. It is recommended that the NHIS should intensify educational programmes on the scheme and its benefits among the migrant female headporters. The NHIS should conduct free NHIS registration for all migrant female headporters to enable them first appreciate and accept the actual benefits of the scheme. The NHIS should work towards improving the healthcare under the scheme.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Community Health in partial fulfillment of the award of degree of Masters in Public Health in Health Services Planning and Management.
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