Factors Influencing Savings For Health Care Towards Olds Age Among Nurses In The La-Nkwantanang Municipality

population is expected to triple from the current estimate of

700milliont02 billion by the year 2050. In Ghana, the ageing populat ion as at 2010 was 6.T'1o

ofthetotaJpopuJationand it is projected that by the year 2050, the aged population would have

increased to 11 .9. Unfortunately, these people have limited knowledge of how to manage their

health conditions and whereto seek appropriate help resulting in untim ely deaths. The National

Health Insurance Scheme (N HIS), a fonn of health financing regime instituted by the

govemmentofGhana to improve financ ial access to basic heahh care , currentlydoes not inctude

most age~related diseases. This makes it necessary for workers to make savings for health care

IOwards their old age.

Obj«live: The general objective of the study was to detennine factors in fluencing savings for

health care towards old age among nurses in the La~Nkwantanang Madina Municipality, Greater

Accra Region.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using quanti tative methods was appJied to collect data. Multi stage

sampling technique was used to select 227 nurses from three (3) health fac ili ties in the La~

Nkwantanang Madina Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. A structured questionnaire was

used to collect data on the socio-demographic/economic factors, jOb-related factors and social

factors on savings for hea lth care towards old age among nurses. STATA software version 15.1

was used to analyse the data. Basic descriptive statistics were run, a nd the results presented using

tables depicting frequencies, percentages, and proportions. The relationship between variables

was further analysed using simple and mUltiple logistic regression; and 95% confidence level

(a=O.05) was used as a level of slat is tical significancl!

Results: The prevalence of saving for heallh care among nurses was 80%. Sociodemographic/

economic factors, that is. NHIS status and number of dependents were statistically

significant at the bivariate level (p-O.OOI.p=O.027). Job related factors such as number of years

in service, number of years left for retirement, ranks in nursing and savings account and

incentives were significant in influencing savings for health care towards old age (p=O.002)

Additionally, family financial expectations, t/le need for the aged to be given proper health CBre

and spouse having a paid job were significant among the social factors (p=O.OI3. p=O.046,

p=O.005)respectivcly.

Conclusion I Recommendation: The study recommended that the National Health Insurance

Authority (NHlA) should expand the coverage ofNHIS to include age re latedhealthconditions

common to the aged. Ghana Health Service should include incentive packages, in the form of

increased salaries, improved human resources policies; and sen ior manageml!nt of health

institutions should introduce early comprehensive pre-retirement education for all nurses 10

enable them save for health care towards old age. Pension reforms should be reviewed in

consultation with all relevant stakeholders 10 meet current financial needs, hence. providing

financial protection to the aged to prevent poverty; and the Ministry 0 fHealth and Ghana Health

Service should educate nurses to buy more private health insurance to complemem thc NHIS