Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal

<h4>Background</h4> Nepal has implemented the social health security program in certain health facilities to improve access to quality health services. The aim of the study is to understand the utilization pattern of social health security schemes and community’s perception of the social...

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Main Authors: Sanjeeb Shah, Nilambar Jha, Vijay Kumar Khanal, Gyanu Nepal Gurung, Babita Sharma, Mausam Shrestha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9089892/?tool=EBI
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author Sanjeeb Shah
Nilambar Jha
Vijay Kumar Khanal
Gyanu Nepal Gurung
Babita Sharma
Mausam Shrestha
author_facet Sanjeeb Shah
Nilambar Jha
Vijay Kumar Khanal
Gyanu Nepal Gurung
Babita Sharma
Mausam Shrestha
author_sort Sanjeeb Shah
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4> Nepal has implemented the social health security program in certain health facilities to improve access to quality health services. The aim of the study is to understand the utilization pattern of social health security schemes and community’s perception of the social health security program. <h4>Method</h4> A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted among 300 households of Illam district who had enrolled in the social health security scheme. A multi-stage random sampling method was used. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data whereas focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted for qualitative data. Descriptive analysis, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. FGDs were transcribed and thematic analysis was done. <h4>Findings</h4> The utilization rate of social health security scheme was 88.7%. Factors associated with the utilization of program included: presence of under-five children and chronic illness in households, sex and age group. Focus group discussion revealed that people were aware of social health insurance and pleased with program implemented by government. However, the hospitals under the social health insurance were not able to meet their expectations. <h4>Conclusion</h4> Although the utilization of social health security scheme was high, people were dissatisfied with the service provided by the hospital under the social health security scheme. Therefore, the social health insurance board should closely monitor the hospitals and develop a feedback mechanism from the users.
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spelling doaj.art-5723b271df6f42888866b3aa5b2942ae2022-12-22T02:11:38ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032022-01-01175Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, NepalSanjeeb ShahNilambar JhaVijay Kumar KhanalGyanu Nepal GurungBabita SharmaMausam Shrestha<h4>Background</h4> Nepal has implemented the social health security program in certain health facilities to improve access to quality health services. The aim of the study is to understand the utilization pattern of social health security schemes and community’s perception of the social health security program. <h4>Method</h4> A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-method study was conducted among 300 households of Illam district who had enrolled in the social health security scheme. A multi-stage random sampling method was used. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data whereas focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted for qualitative data. Descriptive analysis, bivariate and multivariate analysis was done. FGDs were transcribed and thematic analysis was done. <h4>Findings</h4> The utilization rate of social health security scheme was 88.7%. Factors associated with the utilization of program included: presence of under-five children and chronic illness in households, sex and age group. Focus group discussion revealed that people were aware of social health insurance and pleased with program implemented by government. However, the hospitals under the social health insurance were not able to meet their expectations. <h4>Conclusion</h4> Although the utilization of social health security scheme was high, people were dissatisfied with the service provided by the hospital under the social health security scheme. Therefore, the social health insurance board should closely monitor the hospitals and develop a feedback mechanism from the users.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9089892/?tool=EBI
spellingShingle Sanjeeb Shah
Nilambar Jha
Vijay Kumar Khanal
Gyanu Nepal Gurung
Babita Sharma
Mausam Shrestha
Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal
PLoS ONE
title Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal
title_full Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal
title_fullStr Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal
title_short Utilization of social health security scheme among the households of Illam district, Nepal
title_sort utilization of social health security scheme among the households of illam district nepal
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9089892/?tool=EBI
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