Abstract:
Objective: To identify factors for healthcare utilization and to describe effect of Mutual Health Insurance on health
service utilization in rural community in South Achefer, North West Ethiopia.
Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted. A total of 652 households consented to participate in the study
(326 insured and 326 uninsured households). Propensity score matching was used to explain possible differences in
the baseline variables between enrolled and un-enrolled households. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify
factors for healthcare utilization.
Results: Healthcare utilization among insured households was 50.5% (95% CI: 44.8%, 56.2%). Whilst among uninsured
households, healthcare utilization was 29.3% (95% CI: 24.11, 34.47). In general, the overall healthcare utilization was
39.89% (95% CI: 35.7, 43.8). The overall increase in patient-attendance given illness among insured households was
25.2% higher compared with uninsured (t = 4.94, 95% CI: 0.145, 0.359). Educated (primary and above) (AOR = 1.84;
95% CI: 1.14, 2.98), chronic patient (AOR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.13, 3.06), first choice was health facilities at the point of illness
(AOR = 6.33; 95% CI: 2.97–13.51), rich (AOR = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.29, 3.43), and insured (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.45, 3.23) were
independently associated with increased healthcare utilization.
Conclusion: Enrolment to mutual health insurance increases healthcare utilization. Presence of illness in the
households, household earnings, educational status, first choice of treatment at point of illness, and membership to
Mutual Health Insurance scheme should be targeted during escalating of healthcare utilization.
