Co-operative health insurance

Abstract

Ushirika Afya scheme plays a crucial role in improving and protecting Co-operative members in health issues in the agriculture sector. The main objective of this study was Co-operative Health insurance, analysis of Ushirika Afya scheme among co operative members in Babati, Tanzania. The specific objectives were to analyse socio economic and demographic characteristics of co-operative members in Ushirika Afya scheme; examine the perception of co-operative members towards Ushirika Afya scheme and examine the key determinants of members engagement into Ushirika Afya scheme. This study was guided by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the leading theory and Social capital theory. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The target population of the study was 1750 co-operative members who are in the Ushirika Afya scheme in the AMCOS at Babati district, Manyara region Tanzania and a sample size of 300 respondents. The study gathered both quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive and thematic analysis was used to analyse data for the specific objective one and two and inferential analysis for the specific objective three. The study findings indicated that socio-demographic factors, including age, marital status, household income and size, level of education and economic activity have significantly influenced cooperative members in the Ushirika Afya scheme. Thematic analysis revealed that cooperative members' perception towards Ushirika afya was for health concerns, health protection, old and aged cooperative members, for sick people, and a government established scheme for cooperative members in AMCOS. The study demonstrated that the dependent variable is member engagement in the Ushirika Afya scheme and the independent variables are subjective norm, attitude, aspiration and perceived behavioural control. These variables were found to have a positive influence on members' engagement in the Ushirika Afya scheme. The study concludes that elder’s enrolment in Ushirika Afya scheme is higher compared to youth because of low engagement for youth in Cooperative activities. The study recommends that AMCOS should tailor their strategies on youth and services based on their needs. AMCOS and NHIF should invest in providing high-quality training and educational programs. The study recommends that TCDC needs to have an organised co-operative Health insurance program that will meet the needs of all cooperative members and non-cooperative members.