Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to determine factors for membership in Community
Health Fund (CHF) in Mvomero District by looking at the following factors: study's main
variables of interest ( price, income, and treatment of the patients who cannot pay),
demographic factors, economic factors ( distance to health services and availability of
transport) and socio-cultural factors. This study was cross-sectional design used
structured questionnaires to collect data and related literatures. It comprised 76 respondents conveniently selected.
The results showed that 51% (N=76) were enroled in CHF while 49% were not. With
respect to demographic variables middle aged people (31 to 45 years) were more likely to join CHF than any other age (21% compared to 15% among the younger group). On sex 29% of males joined while females were 22%. Basing on occupation and level of
education these factors had nothing to do with enrolment since the peasants enroled and not enroled were 39%. Primary education level enroled were 34%, secondary 9% and 3% with certificate level had not joined. In marital status married people joined CHF by 41% and 32% did not. Household with more than 4 family members were enroled by
41% while those with less than 4 members 11% joined. Distance as among economic
factors was not important determinant because those who received health services within 5 kilometres were 37% the same as who did not join. Those who lived more than 5 kilometres 14% joined and 12% did not. Availability of transport to health services was
not important determinant since 37% of members and 34% to non members did not use
transport. Price of premium did not determine joining as 41% of CHF members said it's
fair and 32% of non CHF members. On price of out of pocket 33% of CHF members
said it's not fair as 34% of non CHF members. On treatment of patients who cannot pay
36% of members said they are provided with the services and 34% for non members.
Respondents who perceived CHF enrolment as an important protective tool were 83%.
In order to improve CHF in Mvomero 79 remaining villages need to be sensitised; a kind
of mechanism is needed for CHF enrolment; equipping health facilities with medicine,
medical equipment and supplies; community empowerment on entrepreneurship and
resource mobilisation in order to raise people’s income so they can afford price of
premium.
