KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE LIMITING THE WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME AMONG RESIDENTS OF AUCHI, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Lack of out- of-pockets resources, poverty, distance to health facilities led to search of alternative methods of health care and to the introduction of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by the government with the aim of easy access to healthcare at subsidized rate. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, practices limiting the willingness to participate in health insurance scheme among residents of Auchi, Etsako-West Local Government Area, Edo State. This study was conducted in Auchi, Etsako west local government of Edo State, Nigeria. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study with multistage sampling technique involving 280 respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Most respondents 117(41.8%) were within 21-30 years of age and the mean ± SD age was (31.35 ± 12.17) years. Majority of respondents aren’t aware of health insurance 229(81.8%) and out of those that were aware (113), majority have poor knowledge of health insurance 94(83.2%). Majority of respondents 92 (81.4%) felt it was beneficial. Major reason for positive attitude for participation was ability for all members of family to be covered while the major reason for not participating includes preference to pay when ill and diversion of
funds to pressing needs. Those with active health insurance was 17(15.0%) with preferred payment frequency of 13(76.5%). Main determinant limiting willingness to participate in health insurance was lack of awareness 179(64%). There wasn’t any significant statistical association relating socio- demographic variables to attitude and practice of health insurance except the that there was significant statistical association between marital status and knowledge of health insurance (p< 0.024). The study indicated the need to increase knowledge, attitude, and practice and eliminate determinants limiting willingness to participate in health insurance amongst residents of Auchi community.