Population Council Research that makes a difference

XXVII IUSSP International Population Conference
26–31 August

Abstract

"Determinants of health insurance ownership among women in Kenya: Evidence from the 2008–09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey"
James K. Kimani and Remare Ettarh

Background
The government of Kenya is making plans to implement a social health insurance program by transforming the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) into a universal health coverage program. This paper examines the determinants associated with health insurance ownership among Kenyan women.

Methods
Data came from the 2008-09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative survey. The sample comprised 8,435 women aged 15-49 years. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to describe the characteristics of the sample and to identify factors associated with health insurance ownership.

Results
Being employed in the formal sector, being married, having secondary education and higher, belonging to the middle and rich wealth status categories and residing in a female-headed household were associated with having health insurance. However, divorced, separated or widowed women were significantly less likely to have health insurance (OR= 0.4; p<0.05) compared to their counterparts who were never married.

Conclusion
As the Kenyan government transforms the NHIF into a universal health program, it is important to implement a program that will increase equity and access to health care services among women of different socio-demographic backgrounds.

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