Awareness, knowledge, and perception of the national health insurance scheme among national youth service corp members in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The lofty objectives of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) are not only predicated on healthy graduates of tertiary institutions but also graduates who are confident in making informed health‑related decisions. Therefore, Corp members’ awareness, knowledge, and perception of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and its programs become imperative. Materials and Methods: This was a cross‑sectional study involving 203 participants selected by convenience sampling technique from NYSC members during Orientation Camp in June 2019. A self‑administered questionnaire was used to collect data regarding their sociodemographics, awareness, knowledge, and perception about the NHIS. Results: The mean age of respondents was 25.8 ± 2.3 years; they were predominantly males (136 [67.0%]) with university degrees 131 (64.5%); 200 (98.5%) were aware of the NHIS and its programs. Although 161 (80.5%) respondents had at least average knowledge of the NHIS, only 97 (48.5%) had adequate knowledge. One hundred and fifty‑eight (79.0%) respondents benefited from the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) as students; 114 (57.0%) viewed TISHIP as a good program; however, 194 (97.0%) felt that the NHIS services should be extended to NYSC members, while 188 (94.0%) were willing to participate in the scheme if its services were extended them. Conclusion: Although awareness level was high, adequate knowledge of the NHIS was low and their perception about TISHIP is unimpressive; most were willing to participate in the NHIS. Current mass NHIS‑programs education campaigns and services offered by NHIS‑accredited health‑care facilities need improvement; fast‑tracking of processes necessary for the extension of NHIS services to NYSC members is required.