Epidemiology & Time Series Analysis of Ghana Health Insurance Scheme

All countries share a common interest in the health and well-being of its citizens. The approach that countries take to achieve the goal of a healthy population is varied. Most countries utilize some form of universal health coverage (insurance) or universal health care. Since independence Ghana has had several health insurance systems. In 2006 the government implemented the National Health Insurance Scheme which provided for universal health care for all citizens funded by a combination of taxes. To date there has been no analysis of the effect of this program. The current analysis evaluated the health services utilization by residents of Mampong Municipality. This analysis used a time series (ARIMA)approach. Results indicated that discharges for diabetes increased for males. Diarrhea and malaria discharges increased in females but not in males. Diabetes discharges increased in males but not females. Typhoid discharges increased in males and females. These results should be followed by qualitative research to elucidate the mechanisms of the healthcare seeking decision processes of males and females in Ghana.