Publication:

Health insurance uptake among green grocers in Roysambu constituency Nairobi City County, Kenya

Background According to WHO, approximately 1.3 billion people globally lack access to essential health services and medication. Barriers such as long wait times, high out-of-pocket costs, inadequate facilities, and staff shortages worsen the situation. In Kenya, only about 20% of the population has health insurance, with other reports suggesting as low as 11%, leaving a majority uninsured. This highlights the urgent need for inclusive health policies, particularly for low-income groups like green grocers (Mama Mboga).

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Roysambu Constituency, Nairobi County, targeting 168 green grocers. Pretested questionnaires gathered quantitative and qualitative data. SPSS was used for descriptive statistics (percentages, frequencies, averages) and inferential statistics (regression, Pearson correlation). Content analysis offered additional insights into participants’ responses. Multiple regression analysis identified factors influencing health insurance uptake.

Results Among respondents, 55.35% had enrolled in health insurance, while 44.65% had not, indicating significant gaps in coverage. Additionally, 53.26% had experienced family hospital admissions, underscoring healthcare needs. Income levels varied: 43.45% earned over Ksh 20,000; 26.79% earned Ksh 11,000-20,000; 22.62% earned Ksh 6,000-10,000; and 7.14% earned below Ksh 5,000. These income disparities strongly relate to insurance decisions.

Conclusions Economic factors, particularly income and premium affordability, play a critical role in health insurance uptake. Addressing these barriers is essential for promoting equitable healthcare access, especially among informal workers like green grocers.