The impact of educational attainment on health insurance enrolment in Ghana

Abstract

Health insurance enrolment in Ghana has become increasingly prominent irrespective of the subscribers educational background. This study was designed to investigate the impact of education attainment on health insurance enrolment; It specifically explores the determinants of Health insurance enrolment in Ghana with particular attention on education attainment; The research further seeks to compare income levels of health insurance subscribers in Ghana; and also to establish the relationship between education background and health insurance enrolment. This study employed Logit and Probit Models to investigate the factors that influence Ghanaians to enrol with the scheme. The results from the logit and probit models indicate that educational level, number of years spent in school, specific health condition, age and income were strong factors in influencing one‘s decision to join the scheme. Again the marginal effects and odd ratios gave a further indication that there is relationship between educational attainment and health insurance enrolment as people climb the educational lather, their demand for health insurance falls, people with high incomes do not enrol to national health insurance programs that people with high incomes do not enrol to national health insurance programs. This research is of the view that any public education aimed at increasing enrolment should be guided by these factors.