GPH-International Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing

HEALTH INSURANCE PERCEPTION AND UTILIZATION SURVEY IN AWKA AND IDEMILI SOUTH, ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Despite the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022 mandating health insurance for all Nigerians, enrollment remains critically low. In Anambra State, preliminary observations suggested a paradox: high awareness coexists with minimal uptake. Understanding the barriers to enrollment is essential for achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) targets.

Objective: To assess health insurance awareness, enrollment patterns, barriers to uptake, and patient-provider perspectives in Awka and Idemili South, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Structured questionnaires were administered to 413 community members and 54 healthcare providers across eleven locations (hospitals, Primary Health Centres, faith-based venues, and community events) between July and December 2025. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests for associations.

Results: Awareness of health insurance was high (87%), but actual enrollment was low (28.1%), creating a 59.8-point conversion gap. The primary barrier was process opacity: 58.1% of respondents reported "I've heard about it, but I don't know where to start." A significant trust deficit was identified, with 65.0% of patients believing insurance negatively affects treatment quality, compared to 77.8% of providers claiming equal care for all patients. Policy knowledge was low: only 38.0% knew Nigerians are entitled to yearly coverage under the NHIA Act. Patient priorities were clear: 89.1% prioritized coverage for drugs, diagnostic scans, and emergencies. Enrollment varied significantly by location, ranging from 33.8% at community events to 17.6% at Primary Health Centres (χ²=52.4, p<0.001). Chi-square tests confirmed significant associations between enrollment and: awareness (χ²=142.3, p<0.001), trust perception (χ²=38.7, p<0.001), policy knowledge (χ²=28.9, p<0.001), and perceived accessibility (χ²=95.1, p<0.001).

Conclusion: The study reveals that awareness alone is insufficient for health insurance enrollment. Process complexity, trust deficits, coverage misalignment, and geographic disparities create a multifaceted barrier ecosystem. Interventions must shift from raising awareness to simplifying enrollment, rebuilding trust, aligning benefits with patient priorities, and strengthening provider partnerships to achieve meaningful progress toward Universal Health Coverage.

AWARENESS AND UTILIZATION OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS (EHRS) AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRES S IN RIVERS WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT

NEZ, ANTHONY K, UGBEBOR. JOHN U, WEJIE OKACHIE — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:17:55 +0000

This paper examined the level of the awareness and utilization of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) among health workers in primary health centers (PHCs) in Rivers West Senatorial District. The study adopted analytical cross-sectional research design. The population of the study consists of all the health workers in the 154 PHCs in Rivers West Senatorial District from which 305 health workers were randomly sampled for the study. Data collection was done using self-structured questionnaire titled “awareness and utilization of electronic health records among Health Workers” (UEHRHWQ), designed based on 5-point Likert scale. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and weighted mean score (WMS) and Spearman’s Rank Correlation The results of the descriptive statistics revealed that; level of EHR awareness among health workers in PHC in Rivers West Senatorial District is adequate (WMS = 3.23 > 3.00) and the extent of utilization of EHR is inadequate among health workers in PHC in Rivers West Senatorial District. (WMS = 4.01 > 3.00). The Spearman’s Rank Correlation results revealed that there is strong, positive and significant relationship between awareness and utilization of EHR among the health workers (r = .983, p =0.0001 < 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that health workers in primary health centers in Rivers state have substantial knowledge of the EHSs system but there level of utilization of the EHRs systems are low, however, further improvement in the level of awareness of EHRs could results to increase in level of utilization of the EHRs system among the health workers.

A Narrative Review of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity: Global Trends, Determinants, and Interventions

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 10:22:40 +0000

Childhood and adolescent obesity have emerged as one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century, affecting both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. With increasing urbanisation, dietary transitions, and sedentary lifestyles, the prevalence of obesity among young people continues to rise globally, with significant implications for lifelong health. This narrative review critically examines global trends, key determinants, and evidence-based interventions for childhood and adolescent obesity. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Semantic Scholar, covering studies published between 2006 and 2026. Keywords and Boolean operators related to obesity, adolescents, risk factors, and interventions were applied. Relevant peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and global health reports were included, with emphasis on English-language publications. Additional sources were identified through citation tracking and expert consultation. Findings reveal that obesity in children and adolescents is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including unhealthy dietary patterns, physical inactivity, genetic predisposition, socioeconomic influences, and environmental exposures. Emerging contributors such as digital media use and obesogenic urban environments further compound the risk. Effective interventions require a multi-level approach, encompassing individual behaviour change, family engagement, school-based programmes, community participation, and supportive public health policies. The review underscores the urgent need for coordinated, context-specific strategies that prioritise prevention, early identification, and sustainable management. Strengthening health systems, promoting health education, and fostering multisectoral collaboration are critical to reversing current trends and safeguarding the health and future productivity of the younger population.