| dc.description.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. | en_US |
