Co-operative Members’ Traits and Health Insurance Participation Behaviour in Tanzania

Abstract

The widespread concern over disparities in health insurance participation among individuals is a global issue. This study delves into the influence of co-operative members' traits on their behaviour regarding health insurance participation. Specifically, utilising the Theory of Planned Behaviour, this study examines the impact of members' attitudes, behavioural control, and characteristics on health insurance participation behaviour. A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 500 co-operative members, using a five-point Likert scale to collect their opinions on the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was employed to analyze the variables affecting co-operative members' participation in health insurance. Supporting the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the findings reveal that all three variables - members' characteristics, attitudes, and behavioural control exert a positive and significant influence on health insurance participation behaviour among co-operative members. Notably, members' personal characteristics exhibit the strongest predictive power (β = 0.629, p < 0.000), followed by members' attitudes (β = 0.171, p < 0.004) and members' behavioural control (β = 0.115, p < 0.040) in shaping health insurance participation behaviour within co-operatives. This study strongly encourages and recommends that insurers, whenever feasible, thoroughly examine and consider the traits of co-operative members that enhance and increase their likelihood of engaging in health insurance.