Аннотация
This study was designed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of Nigerian dentists to the National Health Insurance scheme (NHIS). A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted amongst 250 dentists employed in private and public dental clinics in Lagos State, Nigeria. The survey instrument was a self-administered questionnaire designed to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards the scheme. Data analysis was done using the Epi-Info statistical software (version 6.04). Statistical tools used included measures of central tendency, frequency distribution and chi-square test. A total of 216 dentists (response rate of 82.4%) participated in this study. Most 132(61.1%) of the respondents had a fair knowledge of the NHIS, while 22(10.2%) and 62(28.7%) had poor and good knowledge respectively. Majority (70.4%) viewed the NHIS as a good idea that will succeed if properly implemented. Most (76.6%) respondents also believed that the scheme will improve access to oral health services, affordability of services (71.4%), availability of the services (68.3%) and recognition of dentistry as a profession (62.4%). Most of the respondents (66.2%) considered oral health care as not properly positioned in the NHIS and 154 respondents (74.4%) found the current position of oral health on the NHIS unacceptable. A good number of the respondents (77.3%) would like dentistry to operate at the primary care level on the NHIS. Majority of the dentists involved in this study had some knowledge of the NHIS and were generally positively disposed towards the scheme and viewed it as a good idea.
Keywords: Health insurance, NHIS, dentists, knowledge, opinions.
Résumé
Cette étude était desinne pour évaluer la connaissance et les perceptions des dentistes Nigérians sur le programme d’Assurance de Santé Nationale (NHIS) Cette étude descriptive était conduite sur 250 dentistes employés dans les cliniques privées et publiques dans l’état de Lagos, Nigeria. Un questionnqire structuré etait adminsitre pour évaluer les connaissances sur le programme et les donnees etaient analysees utilisant le programme statistique Epi-Info (version 6.04). et les parametres inclus la tendance centrale; la fréquence de distribution, et le test de chi-square. Un total de 216 dentistes (taux de 82.4%) participaient a cette étude. Plus de 132(61.1%) des participants avaient une connaissance moyenne du programme NHIS, tandis que 22(10.2%) et 62(28.7%) avaient des connaissances faible et bonne respectivement. La majorité (70.4%) voyaient ce programme comme une bonne idée qui aura des success si proprement implementée. Plus de (76.6%) des participants aussi croyaient que ce programme améliorera l’acces aux services de santé oraux, moins chér (71.4%), disponible (68.3%) et reconnaisant le dentiste comme une profession (62.4%). Plus des participants (66.2%) considérant les soins de santé oraux comme pas bien positionnée dans ce programme et 154 participants (74.4%) trouvaient la position courrante des soins oraux non- acceptable. 77.3% des particpants prefereront le service dentaire d’opérer au niveau des soins de santé primaire dans ce programme. La majorité des dentistes impliquées dqns cette étude avaient une connaissance sur le programme,NHIS et étaient géneralement, positivement de ce programme, vu leur bonne idée.
Correspondence: Dr. Abiola Adeniyi, 26b Bush Street, Maryland, Lagos. Nigeria. E-mail: biolawal@yahoo.com
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