Knowledge, attitude and practice of adults to the national health insurance scheme (NHIS) in Unguwar Soya, Kabong Ward of Jos North LGA, Plateau State-Nigeria

Health, according to the World Health Organization is defined as a state of complete physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This was a cross sectional community based descriptive study using a multi stage sampling technique in Unguwar Soya Community, Kabong, Jos North LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria with the aim of assessing and establishing the knowledge, attitude and practice of the residents to NHIS. An interviewer administered structured questionnaire was utilized and a total of 252 questionnaires were administered to the eligible members of the community. Majority of the Respondents are aged 20-29 years (33.7%). Majority of the respondents were females (63.5%), largely married (54.0%), most have attended secondary level of education (47.2%) and are mostly Artisans (32.1%) with majority earning above 30,000 naira (25.8%).59.5% of the respondents had heard about NHIIS; family and friends were the most common sources of NHIS awareness (25.5%). Majority of the respondents (49.3%) had heard about NHIS more than five years ago. Majority of the respondents (70.7%) had good attitude towards NHIS. Only 13.3% of the respondents are registered with NHIS. 88.5% of the respondents fund their health expenditures through Out-of-pocket payment. Results depicted that the index population has inadequate awareness and knowledge of the National Health Insurance Scheme. Resulting in the small portion of the population participating in the scheme. The government can come to the aid of this community and other communities by providing adequate awareness, knowledge and privilege to participate in the scheme to better their health.