Determinants of Utilization of NHIF Cover in Public Health Facilities by Public Health Care Workers in Makueni County

Abstract

Robust healthcare funding systems are seen as critical for guaranteeing universal healthcare access. This implies that health services should be adequately accessible to everyone ensuring the health situation doesn’t reduce the patient and their family to poverty. This study’s primary goal was to analyze the determinants of utilization of NHIF cover in public health facilities by public health workers in Makueni County. Specifically, the study examined how the perceived quality of NHIF services, NHIF Scheme characteristics, NHIF communication approaches, and alternative insurance covers the influence of utilization of NHIF cover in public health workers by health care workers. The study used a descriptive research design. The target population was 1183 health workers in public healthcare facilities in Makueni County. This study followed a probabilistic approach. A stratified random sampling technique was used to sample the facilities across the different levels. The study sample was 291. The data was gathered using structured questionnaires. SPSS version 25 was used to code and analyze the data. The study found that there was a statistically significant correction between the alternative cover and utilization of NHIF cover r=0.332(p<0.00). Perceived quality of health services and utilization, r =0.306 (p<0.00), NHIF communication strategy and utilization, r 0.289 (p<.00) .The study concluded that at the significance level of 95%, alternative insurance covers and perceived quality of health services were the most significant in influencing utilization of NHIF cover with significance values of .000.NHIF communication strategy was a significant determinant of the utilization of NHIF cover with a significance value of .005.NHIF scheme characteristics were an insignificant determinant of utilization of NHIF cover. The study recommended that the NHIF management should invest in innovations that would help in promoting the competitive edge of NHIF compared to other covers; a mobile-based app should be developed and made available for the users as one of the major concerns is the delay experienced during the placing of claims; With autonomy for the employees, the quality of the NHIF services would be expected to rise as the processing would do away with any rigid procedures or waiting for commands from above the hierarchy; The NHIF should adopt a horizontal system of leadership to promote the relationships between the management and the employees and that NHIF management should install a modern system of communication that reduces the movements between the NHIF and the healthcare providers.