PERCEPTION AND USAGE OF COMPULSORY MIGRANT HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME AMONG ADULT MYANMAR MIGRANT WORKERS IN BANG KHUN THIAN DISTRICTBANGKOK METROPOLITAN AREA, THAILAND

Abstract

Background: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), Thailand has been implementing the Compulsory Migrant Health Insurance Scheme (CMHI) for registered migrant workers since 1997. This study objective is to study the perception and usage of compulsory migrant health insurance scheme among adult Myanmar Migrant Workers in Bang Khun Thian district, Bangkok Metropolitan area, Thailand. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study with both quantitative and qualitative methods (Mixed-method). Data collection was done during May-June 2015 to 400 Myanmar migrant workers registered and unregistered in Bang Khun Thian. Structured questionnaire for quantitative and in-depth interview for quantitative data were carried out. Quantitative data were organized and analyzed by the researcher using SPSS for quantitative study. Frequency, percentage are used for socio-demographic variables, working condition, medical disease, and accessibility to health care services. We use Chi-square test to analyze the statistical relationship with statistical significance p-value = 0.05 together with analysis of qualitative data. Results: Out of 319 respondents who had registration status, 43.5% own CMHI card. Among the respondents who owned CMHI card, 145 respondents use the card which is 36.2%. The accessibility variables such as been to hospital, translation services and general satisfaction towards health services and usage of CMHI card are highly associated significantly with p-value <0.001. Having an illness during last 6 months is associated significantly with usage of CMHI with p-value less than 0.05. There was no significant association between sociodemographic characteristics and usage of CMHI card. Registration status and duration in current job are not associated with usage of CMHI card. There is no relationship between perception scores and the usage of CMHI card. Conclusions: The usage of CMHI card is associated with having an illness, been to the hospital, translator assistance and satisfaction towards health services from hospital. Recommendation: raising awareness on compulsory migrant health insurance scheme should be done together with promotion on usage and ownership of CMHI card.