16-17 October 2019
KLAW - Conference Center
Africa/Nairobi timezone

Kabarak Conferences 2019

INFLUENCE OF CULTURE ON HEALTH INSURANCE UPTAKE AMONG PATIENTS AT CHOGORIA MISSION HOSPITAL, THARAKA NITHI COUNTY

Not scheduled
15m
KLAW/Ground-1 - KLAW 5 - Auditorium (KLAW - Conference Center)

KLAW/Ground-1 - KLAW 5 - Auditorium

KLAW - Conference Center

Kabarak University Main Campus Nakuru Eldama Ravine Road
500
Abstract for Research Paper Healthcare financing

Description

The government of Kenya plans to largely finance Universal Health Coverage through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). However, most of the Kenyan population do not have health insurance cover. They rely mainly on out-of-pocket payment. The reality today is that uptake of health insurance is still low in general, particularly in rural areas, where the majority of Kenyans live. Studies have identified four main reasons why individuals are not registered for any form of health insurance: affordability, value, relevance and process. However, these reasons may be complicated by cultural and social beliefs, as revealed by studies done in other middle and low- income countries. The aim of this study is to describe cultural beliefs and practices that may have an influence on health insurance uptake. We used a qualitative phenomenology study design over a period of 3 months at Chogoria Mission Hospital. The study used purposive sampling to recruit participants from inpatient and outpatient departments. Through 20 in-depth interviews using a semi structured design and utilizing the constant comparative method of analysis, we identified the following themes: Chieftaincy, religious beliefs that purchasing health insurance is a lack trust in the healing power of God and calling bad omen, patriarchal culture, traditional medicine use, peer influence of purchasing insurance and Harambe as factors that might have an influence on health insurance uptake. Unique to this study was the theme about health insurance being associated with family and community dissociation. Compared to findings in other countries, the findings of this study suggest that culture also has an influence on health insurance even if it is limited. The results of this study need to be explored more in details in other studies. This study suggests that most reasons of non-enrollment are hinged on cultural motivation at various level and degrees.

Keywords culture, health insurance

Primary author

Dr Boaz Niyinyumva (Kabarak University, Family Medicine)

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Paper