Association between health insurance membership and anaemia among children under-five years. Evidence from Ghana.

<h4>Introduction</h4>Anaemia is prevalent among children in developing countries. The main objective of this study was to assess the association between health insurance membership and anaemia among Ghanaian children under-five years.<h4>Methods</h4>We obtained Ghana's M...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Emmanuel Anongeba Anaba, Aaron Asibi Abuosi, Joshua Cobby Azilaku, Jacqueline Nkrumah
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2020-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238792
Description
Summary:<h4>Introduction</h4>Anaemia is prevalent among children in developing countries. The main objective of this study was to assess the association between health insurance membership and anaemia among Ghanaian children under-five years.<h4>Methods</h4>We obtained Ghana's Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey, 2011 dataset from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Data were analyzed with the aid of Stata/IC, version 15.<h4>Results</h4>The prevalence of anaemia among Ghanaian children under-five years was estimated to be 57%. Majority (73%) of the children were not insured. Health insurance membership was found to be a significant predictor of anaemia among children under-five years.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Health insurance membership is a protective factor against anaemia among children under-five years. In the quest to eradicate anaemia among children, stakeholders would have to review the benefit package of the National Health Insurance Scheme coupled with prioritizing anaemia prevention interventions among more vulnerable children.
ISSN:1932-6203