Factors Influencing Savings for Health Care Towards Olds Age among Nurses in the La-Nkwantanang Municipality

Abstract

Background: Globally, the ageing population is expected to triple from the current estimate of 700million to 2 billion by the year 2050. In Ghana, the ageing population as at 2010 was 6.7% of the total population and it is projected that by the year 2050, the aged population would have increased to 11 .9. Unfortunately, these people have limited knowledge of how to manage their health conditions and where to seek appropriate help resulting in untimely deaths. The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), a form of health financing regime instituted by the Government of Ghana to improve financial access to basic health care, currently does not include most age-related diseases. This makes it necessary for workers to make savings for health care towards their old age.

Objective: The general objective of the study was to determine factors influencing savings for health care towards old age among nurses in the La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipality, Greater Accra Region.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using quantitative methods was applied to collect data. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 227 nurses from three (3) health facilities in the La- Nkwantanang Madina Municipality in the Greater Accra Region. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on the socio-demographic/economic factors, job-related factors and social factors on savings for health care towards old age among nurses. STATA software version 15.1 was used to analyse the data. Basic descriptive statistics were run, and the results presented using tables depicting frequencies, percentages, and proportions. The relationship between variables was further analysed using simple and multiple logistic regression; and 95% confidence level (a=0.05) was used as a level of statistical significance.

Results: The prevalence of saving for health care among nurses was 80%. Sociodemographic/ economic factors, that is. NHIS status and number of dependents were statistically significant at the bivariate level (p-0.001, p=0.027). Job related factors such as number of years in service, number of years left for retirement, ranks in nursing and savings account and incentives were significant in influencing savings for health care towards old age (p=0.002) Additionally, family financial expectations, t/le need for the aged to be given proper health care and spouse having a paid job were significant among the social factors (p=0.0I3. p=0.046, p=0.005) respectively.

Conclusion / Recommendation: The study recommended that the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) should expand the coverage of NHIS to include age related health conditions common to the aged. Ghana Health Service should include incentive packages, in the form of increased salaries, improved human resources policies; and senior management of health institutions should introduce early comprehensive pre-retirement education for all nurses 10 enable them save for health care towards old age. Pension reforms should be reviewed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders 10 meet current financial needs, hence. providing financial protection to the aged to prevent poverty; and the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service should educate nurses to buy more private health insurance to complement the NHIS.