Awareness and availability of TISHIP information sources by undergraduate students for accessing healthcare services in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

This study assessed the awareness and availability of Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) Information Sources by Undergraduate Students for Accessing Healthcare Services in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. the objectives of the study is to identify the types of Healthcare Services covered by TISHIP are accessible to Undergraduate Students in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, identify the types of TISHIP Information Sources are available to Undergraduate Students for accessing Healthcare Services in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and to find out the extent Undergraduate Students aware of TISHIP Information Sources available for accessing Healthcare in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Three research questions were formulated in line with the research objectives. The study adopted descriptive survey design. 381 students were sampled using cluster proportionate random sampling out of the entire 42,779 for the study. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection which were collected, analysed and presented in tables using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Findings of the study revealed that the types of healthcare services covered by TISHIP accessible by the Undergraduate Students were Routine Immunisations, Health Education, Essential Drugs, Accident and Emergency Care, Dental Health Services and Periodic Medical Check-ups. Also, the types of TISHIP information sources available to the Undergraduate Students for accessing healthcare were Orientation and Matriculation, Friends, Notice Boards, Lecturers and Staff, Campus Bulletin, Social Media, Internet, and Religious and Association Leaders. Hence, it was recommended that information services aimed at providing information to the student be provided and the university management should provide more TISHIP information sources and healthcare services that will enhance access for the Undergraduate Students thereby saving their time in accessing information sources.

Keyword: Information Sources, Awareness, Availability, Undergraduate Students, TISHIP