Knowledge and implementation of Tertiary Institutions’ Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) in Nigeria; a case study of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

IntroductionTertiary Institutions’ Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) is an arm of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which provides quality healthcare to students in Nigerian higher institutions. The success of this scheme depends on the students’ knowledge and awareness of its existence as well as the level of its implementation by healthcare providers. This study was therefore designed to assess students’ knowledge and attitude towards TISHIP and its implementation level among health workers in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Medical Centre.MethodsUsing a stratified random sampling technique, 420 undergraduate students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka were assessed on their level of awareness and general assessment of TISHIP through an adapted and validated questionnaire instrument. The level of implementation of the scheme was then assessed among 50 randomly selected staff of the University Medical Center. Data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 software.ResultsWhereas the students in general, showed a high level of TISHIP awareness, more than half of them (56.3%) have never benefited from the scheme with 52.8% showing dissatisfaction with the quality of care offered with the scheme. However, an overwhelming number of the students (87.9%) opined that the scheme should continue. On the other hand, the University Medical Centre staff responses showed a satisfactory scheme implementation.ConclusionThe study found satisfactory TISHIP awareness with poor attitude among Nnamdi Azikiwe University students. Furthermore, the University Medical Centre health workers showed a strong commitment to the objectives of the scheme.

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

“…15 However, there is a variance in the proportion of respondents who had heard of the NHIS (97%) and those who knew about TISHIP (a program under the NHIS) 16 when they were students (36.4%); this finding differs from what was obtained by Anetoh et al, in Awka, South-East Nigeria where all respondents (students) knew about TISHIP. 11 This difference may be explained by differences in the intensity of NHIS awareness campaigns in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and the study populations. This is corroborated by the few respondents (24.1%) who heard about the NHIS from their school authorities in this study as against 44.5% of respondents who heard about TISHIP during school orientation programs and from their school clinic in the Awka study.…”

“…This is corroborated by the few respondents (24.1%) who heard about the NHIS from their school authorities in this study as against 44.5% of respondents who heard about TISHIP during school orientation programs and from their school clinic in the Awka study. 11 …”

“…Using 83.8% (proportion of university students who knew that TISHIP ensures that every high institution student has access to quality health care, in Awka, Nigeria) 11 and the formula [n/1 + n/N] for estimating minimum sample size for populations <10,000 13 (as the state received about 2,400 NYSC members during the preceding orientation camp), a sample of 192 was, therefore, obtained. However, with a questionnaire retrieval rate of 94% among students of a tertiary institution in Awka, South-East Nigeria, 11 an additional 6% was added to give 205.…”

“…8 9 There are varying reports of the level of satisfaction with the services offered by the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP) enjoyed by students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria (from where NYSC members have attended). 10 11 For instance, despite the high level of awareness reported in a study at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Southeast Nigeria, 56.3% of students never benefited from the TISHIP services and 52.8% were dissatisfied with the quality of services provided. 11 …”

“…10 11 For instance, despite the high level of awareness reported in a study at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Southeast Nigeria, 56.3% of students never benefited from the TISHIP services and 52.8% were dissatisfied with the quality of services provided. 11 …”