Uptake of Benue State Health Insurance Scheme among Informal Sector Workers in Makurdi

IntroductionThe provision of affordable and accessible healthcare is a fundamental right that every citizen deserves regardless of their employment and educational status. One way to protect oneself financially from the high cost of receiving medical treatment is through health insurance. This study seeks to determine the perception, willingness to accept/enrol and uptake for Benue State Health Insurance Scheme among informal sector workers in Makurdi. MethodThe study was carried out in Makurdi among informal sector workers using a descriptive cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of informal sector workers living in Makurdi. A total of 369 participants were selected using multi-stage sampling technique and data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. The data obtained from the research was examined and analysed using basic percentages and means. Comparative analysis of the study was done by subjecting the data obtained to chi-square analysis using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), version 23. A P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. ResultFindings from the study revealed a high willingness to enrol in Benue State Health Insurance Scheme (69.3%) but a low level of enrolment (34.0%) among informal sector workers. The mean willingness to pay amount was found to be 9,020.6 naira per annum as premium. Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant relationship between age, gender, marital status, monthly income, level of education and the willingness to enrol/enrolment in the scheme (p=0.00). The respondents generally had a good perception about BNSHIS as they believed; it will relieve them from making out-of-pocket payment for health care (30.7%), will protect from catastrophic health expenditure (27.9%), will make health care cheaper (39.0%), and will increase access to health services (30.7%). Those unwilling to enrol based their reasons around funds mismanagement (12.6%), alternative means of healthcare (12.6%), lack of regular income (16.2%), lack of trust in the system (24.3%) and non-belief in paying for sickness (13.5%). The less recurrent reasons were lack of interest (9.0%) and do not need health insurance (11.7%). ConclusionThe uptake of Benue State Health Insurance Scheme among informal sector workers in the survey is considerably low. However, most informal sector workers have a good perception about the scheme and are willing to enrol in the scheme. The few who are not willing to enrol based their reasons around funds mismanagement, low income and lack of trust in the system.