ASSESSMENT OF AVAILABILITY AND UTILIZATION OF NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME HEALTH CARE SERVICES BY WORKERS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGER STATE

Audu Ali¹&Yusuf Abubakar^2*

¹Department of Physical and Health Education F.C.E Minna, Niger State,

²Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education A.B.U Zaria, Nigeria

E-mail: yakgez337@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This concern over the years about the health of workers led to the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Nigeria. This study aimed at assessing the availability and utilization of National Health Insurance Scheme among workers of Tertiary Institutions in Niger State. An Ex-Post Facto design was used for the study. The study population comprised all workers of tertiary institutions in Niger State (male, female, Academics and non- Academics). The sample size used for the study was 400 respondents using the Yamane sample size selection formula. Stratified and proportionate sampling techniques were used to select the respondents based on their total numbers. The instrument used for data collection was 4-point modified Likert rating scale questionnaire.  Four hundred (400) copies of questionnaire copies were administered and all were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range test and two-way independent T-test at 0.05 level of significance. A mean of 2.5 was rated as decision point between the two extremes of agreed and disagreed. The results of the study show that NHIS are not available in most of the tertiary institutions, as such are not been utilized in Niger State at p<0.05. It was therefore recommended that NHIS services should be made available to workers of tertiary institutions in Niger State, so that workers in other establishments within the state will also benefit from the scheme by judiciously utilizing them.

Keywords:Availability, Utilization, NHIS services Workers, Tertiary Institutions