Open AccessAssociation between health insurance membership and anaemia among children under-five years. Evidence from Ghana
Author(s) -
Emmanuel Ageba Anaba,
Aaron Asibi Abuosi,
Joshua Cobby Azilaku,
Jacqueline Nkrumah
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0238792
Subject(s) - medicine , psychological intervention , environmental health , national health insurance , developing country , health insurance , cluster (spacecraft) , pediatrics , demography , health care , population , economic growth , sociology , computer science , economics , programming language , psychiatry
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. Methods 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. Results 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. Conclusion 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.