A study in Ethiopia shows public servants’ willingness to pay for social health insurance linked to income, education, and awareness.
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in Ethiopia has revealed crucial insights into the willingness of public servants to participate in social health insurance programs. The study, which analyzed data from twenty articles encompassing 8744 participants, sheds light on the factors influencing healthcare financing decisions among this demographic. Findings show that the pooled magnitude of willingness to pay for social health insurance among public servants in Ethiopia stands at 49.62%.
Several key factors were identified as significant influencers of willingness to participate in social health insurance:
- Monthly salary: participants with higher monthly salaries were more likely to express willingness to pay for social health insurance, with an odds ratio of 6.52.
- Educational status: individuals with a degree or higher education exhibited greater willingness to participate, with an odds ratio of 5.52.
- Family size: larger family sizes correlated with increased willingness to pay, with an odds ratio of 3.69.
- Financial burden: participants experiencing difficulty paying medical bills were more inclined to support social health insurance, with an odds ratio of 3.24.
- Quality of services: perceived good quality of healthcare services was associated with a higher willingness to pay, with an odds ratio of 4.20.
- Awareness and attitude: positive attitudes and awareness of the social health insurance scheme were significant predictors of willingness to participate, with odds ratios of 5.28 and 3.09, respectively.
Understanding these factors is crucial for policymakers seeking to improve healthcare financing and social health protection to attain universal health coverage. The study recommends targeted awareness campaigns and on-the-job training initiatives to enhance public servants’ understanding of social health insurance benefits and principles.
