Knowledge and utilisation of National Health Insurance Scheme among adult patients attending a tertiary health facility in Lagos State, South-Western Nigeria

Background: Despite the creation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by the Nigerian government, most Nigerians are not covered by the scheme. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and utilisation of NHIS among adult patients who attended a tertiary health facility in Lagos state, South-Western Nigeria. Setting: Outpatient clinic, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 487 respondents recruited using a multi- stage sampling method. Data were collected using pretested semi-structured self-administered questionnaires, and analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2007 and EPI Info 7 statistical software. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee Lagos State university teaching Hospital. Results: A total of 487 of the 500 self-administered questionnaires were retrieved and analysed, giving a response rate of 97.4%. The study showed that 80.7% of the respondents had poor knowledge of NHIS, only12.3% of the respondents had registered with the NHIS, and 43.8% of respondents who had not registered with NHIS claimed they do not know where to register. There was a statistically significant association between age and utilisation ( p = 0.0007), marital status and utilisation of NHIS ( p = 0.016), employment status and utilisation of NHIS ( p = 0.001).Most (96%) of those who have utilised NHIS were satisfied with NHIS services. Conclusion: Majority of the respondents had poor knowledge of NHIS and also majority of those who had registered were satisfied with the scheme. There should be increased awareness campaigns so that all Nigerians can benefit from the scheme.