Access to Health Care Services and Associated Factors among NHIF Clients at Mwananyamala Regional Referral Hospital, Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Introduction: NHIF provides comprehensive benefit packages such as diagnostic tests, out-patient services, in-patient services, physiotherapy, dental services, glasses, prostheses and also offers services for retirees. These services are provided by the accredited health facilities and pharmacies; however, little information is available on the NHIF clients’ accessibility and effectiveness towards improving the quality of health care services. Objective: To evaluate the accessibility to health care services and associated factors among NHIF clients at Mwananyamala regional referral hospital in Kinondoni Municipal, Dar es Salaam. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that employed a quantitative approach. Convenient sampling technique was used for the selection of the study participants. Structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were done to determine significant association and results were presented in tables, graphs, and charts. Results: Access to health care services among NHIF users is affected by the institutional factors such as inadequate drug supply, inadequate laboratory equipment and inadequate number of health care workers. Health care workers factors such as attitude towards NHIF clients also affected the access to health care services among NHIF clients. In addition, client factors such as age, sex, occupation tend to affect the accessibility to health care services. Recommendations: The NHIF should make sure all services stipulated in NHIF package are available at all the time and that clients have access to them. This applies to human resource who are inadequate in number thus affect the service provision.