ABSTRACT

Nation Health Insurance Scheme (NHI is a cooperate body established under the Act 35 of 1999 constitution by the Federal Government of Nigeria to improve health of all Nigerians at an affordable cost. The objectives of this study are to assess the knowledge of NHIS among female traders, to determine the uptake of NHIS by female traders and to Elicit the determinants (factors) influencing the uptake of NHIS by female traders in Ugbekun and Eki-osa market in Edo State. The study employed a descriptive cross sectional research design. A total of two hundred and sixty-five (265) traders were sampled from a population size of six hundred and six in Ugbekun and Eki-Osa market in Benin City, Edo State. The study adopted a multistage sampling technique which include systematic random sampling, stratified sampling technique and random sampling techniques which was considered adequate for the study with certain inclusion and exclusion criteria of the patients. A well-structured questionnaire was used to elicit items relevant to the research objectives. Prior to administration, the instrument was tested for reliability and the Cronbach alpha coefficients for each construct gave a reliable value a reliability statistical value of 0.81, 0.78 and 0.83 for knowledge, uptake and factors influencing NHIS uptake respectively. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Questions on knowledge and uptake were analyzed in frequency and percentage while on factors; it was analyzed in mean and standard deviation, with an average mean of 2.5 using the four (4) Likert scale. The study showed that there was poor knowledge, low level of NHIS uptake, and they reported social-economic, physical and psychological factor influencing their uptake of the NHIS. The study therefore recommends that due to the unending roles of healthcare providers, proper education should be given to patients on the importance of NHIS which will enhance the registration and utilization of NHIS also Proper sensitization should be made either through hand bills, posters, adverts etc. that will increase awareness on NHIS.As regards to the research findings, cost of registration on NHIS should be reduced for those in the informal sectors to enable them partake in NHIS as they are of the low income earners.

KEY WORDS: National Health insurance scheme, determinant factors, uptake female traders.