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Health Insurance Schemes (HIS) have been recognized as preferred mechanisms to finance healthcare in both developed and developing countries. The Government of Tanzania recognizes that access to healthcare is one of the fundamental rights to its citizens, and therefore it has been encouraging its people to enroll in various HIS. The largest population segment, particularly from the informal sectors in Tanzania, is still uncovered by these schemes. This study examined factors influencing informal sector personnel to join health insurance schemes in Mbarali district in Tanzania.
A cross-sectional survey was employed for this research. A sample of 144 informal sector personnel was included in the study. The study was conducted between January, 2018 and March, 2019. Both purposive and probability sampling techniques were used to obtain study participants. Data were collected by using questionnaire and interview guide. Qualitative data were analysed thematically while quantitative were analysed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results showed that the most factors that influence informal sector personnel to join HIS and demand for health insurance services were they types of insured services offered, family size and nature of chronic illness. The majority (69.4%) of respondents acknowledged that enrolling into the schemes is essential as it would reduce inaccessibility of health services when needed. About (68.8%) of informal sector personnel were willing to enroll and pay for HIS, while about 31.2% were not willing to pay. Also, the study revealed families with low incomes and high rates charges by the insurance companies influenced hesitation of informal sector personnel to enroll in the HIS.
The study concludes that, although the majority of informal sector personnel were willing to enroll and pay for health insurance schemes, their level of knowledge on the health insurance schemes was relatively low. Therefore, the study recommends that awareness campaigns should be instituted as a strategy to increase knowledge among workers in the informal sectors about the value of joining the health insurance schemes. Finally, health insurance institutions should come up with the premium charges that are affordable and reflective to the economies and markets of the informal sector personnel. |
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