Determinants of the Uptake of Social Health Insurance (SHI) in Mombasa County: A Case of Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify determinants of uptake of Social Health Insurance (SHI) in Mombasa County and Kenya in general. The objective of the study was to assess the factors determining the uptake of Social Health Insurance (SHI) in Mombasa County, with a special study of The Coast General Teaching & Referral Hospital. The study addressed four specific objectives: the effects of socioeconomic and institutional factors, socio-cultural perceptions, and the identification of strategies to improve SHI uptake. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Convenience sampling was used to select the respondents interviewed. Data analysis revealed that the majority of respondents earned less than 10,000 Kenya shillings per month, further confirming that they cannot afford the SHI Premiums. The study revealed that the majority of respondents (84%) enrolled in SHI have attained secondary or higher levels of education. A significant majority, 68 per cent, reported that cultural and religious beliefs do not influence their uptake of SHI. The study concludes that while socioeconomic and institutional factors considerably affect uptake of SHI in Mombasa County, cultural and religious factors have a minor influence. The study is significant in contributing to the body of knowledge available to researchers on the determinants of SHI uptake. It also provides policymakers with information to develop strategies to improve SHI uptake.