A Dissertation Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Award of
the Degree of Master in Health Systems Management of Mzumbe University
The main purpose of this study was to determine factors for membership in Community
Health Fund (CHF) in Mvomero District by looking at the following factors: study's main
variables of interest ( price, income, and treatment of the patients who cannot pay),
demographic factors, economic factors ( distance to health services and availability of
transport) and socio-cultural factors. This study was cross-sectional design used
structured questionnaires to collect data and related literatures. It comprised 76 respondents conveniently selected.
The results showed that 51% (N=76) were enroled in CHF while 49% were not. With
respect to demographic variables middle aged people (31 to 45 years) were more likely to join CHF than any other age (21% compared to 15% among the younger group). On sex 29% of males joined while females were 22%. Basing on occupation and level of
education these factors had nothing to do with enrolment since the peasants enroled and not enroled were 39%. Primary education level enroled were 34%, secondary 9% and 3% with certificate level had not joined. In marital status married people joined CHF by 41% and 32% did not. Household with more than 4 family members were enroled by
41% while those with less than 4 members 11% joined. Distance as among economic
factors was not important determinant because those who received health services within 5 kilometres were 37% the same as who did not join. Those who lived more than 5 kilometres 14% joined and 12% did not. Availability of transport to health services was
not important determinant since 37% of members and 34% to non members did not use
transport. Price of premium did not determine joining as 41% of CHF members said it's
fair and 32% of non CHF members. On price of out of pocket 33% of CHF members
said it's not fair as 34% of non CHF members. On treatment of patients who cannot pay
36% of members said they are provided with the services and 34% for non members.
Respondents who perceived CHF enrolment as an important protective tool were 83%.
In order to improve CHF in Mvomero 79 remaining villages need to be sensitised; a kind
of mechanism is needed for CHF enrolment; equipping health facilities with medicine,
medical equipment and supplies; community empowerment on entrepreneurship and
resource mobilisation in order to raise people’s income so they can afford price of
premium.