FACTORS INFLUENCING THE KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH INSURANCE AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN UGANDA: A CASE STUDY OF EASTERN UGANDA.

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to determine factors influencing knowledge of health insurance among women of reproductive age in Eastern Uganda. The assessment was made on place of residence, highest level of education, wealth index, religion, sex of household head, marital status, age and access to media.

The study analyzed data from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey with a total sample size of 5,039 women of reproductive age in Eastern Uganda. Both univariate and bivariate analyses were performed to describe the study population. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with knowledge health insurance among women of reproductive age in Eastern Uganda.

The proportion of women in Eastern Uganda with knowledge of health insurance was found to be very low (18.6%). The study also found that women who had access to media, had secondary or higher education, belonged to wealthier households (middle or rich) and were in the middle age group had higher proportions of knowledge health insurance and were found to be significantly associated with knowledge of health insurance among women of reproductive age in Eastern Uganda.

The study concludes that, health insurance providers should tailor health insurance knowledge not only to the needs of the educated but also the uneducated, the younger age groups, the poor, those who have no access to media, the informal sector and those in the rural areas.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ........................................................................ i

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................... vi

LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. ix

ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................... x

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Problem statement ................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 3

1.4 Hypothesis .................................................................................................................................. 4

1.5 Significance ................................................................................................................................ 4

1.6 Conceptual framework .......................................................................................................... 4

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................... 5

2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 5

2.2 Knowledge of health insurance ......................................................................................... 5

2.3 Demographic factors effecting knowledge of health insurance............................ 6

2.3.1 Effect of age on knowledge of health insurance ..................................................... 6

2.3.2 Marital status against knowledge of health Insurance .......................................... 6

2.4 Socioeconomic factors effecting knowledge of health insurance ........................ 6

2.4.1 Effect of education level on knowledge of health insurance .............................. 6

2.4.2 Place of residence and knowledge of health insurance ........................................ 7

2.4.3 Wealth index and Knowledge of health insurance .................................................. 8

2.4.4 Religion against knowledge of health insurance ..................................................... 8

2.4.5 Access to media against knowledge of health insurance ..................................... 9

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................... 9

3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 9

3.2 Scope of the study .................................................................................................................... 9

3.3 Data sources ................................................................................................................................ 9

vii

3.4 Variable description ............................................................................................................ 10

3.5 Data analysis ........................................................................................................................... 10

3.6 Study limitations ................................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER FOUR ........................................................................................................................... 13

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS ...................................................................... 13

4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 13

4.2 Characteristics of respondents ..................................................................................... 13

4.3 Bivariate analysis of women’s knowledge of insurance ..................................................... 14

4.4 Determinants of knowledge of health insurance ................................................................. 16

4.5 Discussions .......................................................................................................................... 18

CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................................... 20

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ............................................ 20

5.1 Summary ............................................................................................................................. 20

5.2 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 21

5.3 Recommendation ............................................................................................................ 21

5.4 Area for further research .............................................................................................. 21

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 22