Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Assessment of involvement in National Health Insurance Scheme for Universal Health Coverage among older persons in Nigeria

9^th International Conference on Geriatrics, Gerontology & Elderly Care

September 03-04, 2019 | Berlin, Germany

Amara Frances Chizoba

Renewal Health foundation, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriatr Res

Abstract:

In line with goal of Universal health coverage (UHC), the 2014 Nigeria national health act classified older persons among vulnerable group that may be eligible for exemption from payment for health care services at public health establishments. However, 2016 operational guideline of National health insurance scheme (NHIS) ???a key implementing body of the act- do not classify this same population as vulnerable. Despite the discrepancies, health and socioeconomic needs of the older persons needs to be considered if the recommended UHC must be achieved. Since NHIS has been identified as key to achieving this goal, awareness and involvement of older persons in the scheme is important. We aim to assess awareness and involvement of the older persons in NHIS for UHC in Nigeria setting. This is a descriptive cross sectional study. We introduced a semi-structured interviewer guided questionnaire among older persons >55 years in a one day community geriatric project across three Nigeria communities between December 2016 and August 2017. Assessment include; awareness of NHIS programs and involvement. Percentage and odds ratio were used for data analysis. Participants constituted of 1496 older persons with mean age of 73.5 years. 72% (1077/1496) were female and 58% (868) had a minimum of primary education. 46% (688) are farmers, 16% (239) business owners, 12% (180) civil servants, and others (26% (389)) without a job, 30% (117) of which are retirees. Only 12.7% (190/1496) reported to be aware of NHIS and only 8% (119/1496) of participants are/were enrolled/involved in NHIS; 41% (49/119) current and 59% (70) past. There is higher odds of the educated than uneducated being aware (OR=1.7) and involved (OR= 4.7) in NHIS.
There is low awareness and involvement in NHIS for UHC among older persons. We recommend programs to drive awareness creation and enrolment/involvement of older persons in NHIS for UCH in Nigeria.