Background: A crucial requirement for the advancement of women's development is the
enhancement of maternal and reproductive health. Since 1991, the Zambian
government has made tackling healthcare issues a priority. Among the measures
implemented, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has been a significant
emphasis. Created by the National Health Insurance Act No. 2 of 2018, the
scheme is overseen by the National Health Insurance Management Authority
(NHIMA). This study intends to assess the
contribution of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the quality of
maternal and reproductive health services in Zambia.
Methods: The study employed a quantitative research approach, using a
descriptive cross-sectional design to assess the
contribution of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to the quality of
maternal and reproductive health services in Zambia. A simple random sampling method was applied to select participants, and
Cochran's formula was used to calculate a sample size of 320 NIHS
policyholders. Data were collected using a well-structured self-administered
questionnaire. Data were then cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Stata 14.0.
Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent ensured confidentiality and
voluntary participation.
Results: The study indicates that NHIS policyholders' satisfaction with the
nurse-to-doctor ratio is moderately positive, with 47% satisfied and 39%
neutral. However, 14% expressed dissatisfaction, which suggests room for
improvement in interpersonal interactions. Alarmingly, 46% of respondents were
dissatisfied with the doctor-patient ratio. This raises concerns about the
quality of care and doctors' ability to provide adequate attention to each
patient. While satisfaction ratings indicate a mixed response, the relatively
high percentage of neutral responses — 47% for imaging services and 36% for
general patient care — highlights potential uncertainty or variability in
services. Continuous training and quality assurance programs could help improve
perceptions in these areas. On the other hand, the high dissatisfaction rate
(50%) concerning patient waiting time indicates a significant area for
improvement. The quality of care directly impacts maternal and reproductive
health outcomes, highlighting the need for ongoing investments in healthcare
infrastructure and workforce training.
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