Basil 1st Correction Utilization of National Health Insurance Scheme among Students of Tertiary Health Institutions, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The National Health Insurance Scheme is a social health insurance programme designed by the Federal Government of Nigeria to complement sources of financing the health sector and to improve access to health care for the majority of Nigerians. This study aimed at Assessing the Utilization of National Health Insurance Scheme among students of Tertiary Health Institutions, Kwara state, Nigeria. Descriptive design was adopted for the study. Sample size was determined and disproportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 97 Students used for this study. A well structured questionnaire was used for data collection.  Data collected was analysed using SPSS 22 and presented in frequency tables to represent each data collected randomly. The socio demographic characteristics of respondents shows that majority of the respondents are within ages less than 25 years (63.9%), females (86.6%), OND 1(33%), and enrolled for NHIS for 1 year (37.1%). This study reveal that the level of utilization of NHIS by respondents is very high (80%) and factors that influence the Utilization of NHIS services by respondents are Accessible and affordable health care services (77.3%), Well attended to by the health workers (75.2%), equipment are in good condition (68%) and the scheme run a 24 hours services (81.5%). Hypothesis tested revealed that there is significant relationship between factor influencing utilization by the student and the level of NHIS services they enjoy (P=0.002). In conclusion, promoting the utilization and benefits of NHIS among minorities students who had difficulties utilizing the scheme will ensure total coverage among all students of tertiary health.