Health insurance in Ghana: evaluation of policy holders' perceptions and factors influencing policy renewal in the Volta region.

BACKGROUND: Health insurance is an important mechanism that succors individuals, states and the nation at large. The purpose of this study was to assess individual's attitude towards health insurance policy and the factors that influence respondents' decision to renew their health insurance policy when it expires. METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Volta region of Ghana. A total of 300 respondents were randomly sampled and interviewed for the study. Data was collected at the household level and analyzed with STATA software. Descriptive statistics was used to assess the demographic characteristics of the respondents while Logistic regression model was used to assess factors that influence respondents' decision to take up health insurance policy and renew it. RESULTS: The study results indicate that 61.1% of respondents are currently being enrolled in the NHIS, 23.9% had not renewed their insurance after enrollment and 15% had never enrolled. Reasons cited for non-renewal of insurance included poor service quality (58%), lack of money (49%) and taste of other sources of care (23%). The gender, marital status, religion and perception of health status of respondents significantly influenced their decision to enroll and remain in NHIS. CONCLUSION: NHIS has come to stay with clients testifying to its benefits in keeping them strong and healthy. Efforts therefore must be put in by all stakeholders including the community to educate the individuals on the benefits of health insurance to ensure all have optimal access.