Factors Influencing Out Patient Satisfaction With Health Insurance In Tanzania: A Case Study Of The National Health Insurance Fund (Nhif) In Kigoma Region

ABSTRACT

This study examined patient satisfaction with health insurance taking a case study of Kigoma Region. The study sought to examine the factors influencing of outpatient satisfaction in Kigoma. The study employed interviews and questionnaire as tools of collecting data. The study involved total number of 70 respondents whereby 39 were from Kigoma urban and 39 respondents from Kigoma rural additionally, 4 key informants were included in the study in order to provide detailed information about outpatient satisfaction in Kigoma. Data were analyzed with the aid of Scientific Package for Social Science (SPSS) version16.

The study revealed that factors influencing patient satisfaction include level of education, age of respondents, gender, marital status and area of residency. The findings revealed that the urban population is more satisfied with health care than the rural population. The study also found that, although the NHIF members wish to continue to be members they wish service is improved.

The study recommends among other things hospitals, clinics and health centers providing health services for the NHIF beneficiaries should be properly equipped. Since private clinics and laboratories are involved in the scheme, the government should explore possibilities of subsidizing private players so that they can be in position to provide proper healthcare to the patients.