Abstract:
Ushirika Afya scheme plays a crucial role in improving and protecting Co-operative
members in health issues in the agriculture sector. The main objective of this study
was Co-operative Health insurance, analysis of Ushirika Afya scheme among co operative members in Babati, Tanzania. The specific objectives were to analyse socio economic and demographic characteristics of co-operative members in Ushirika Afya
scheme; examine the perception of co-operative members towards Ushirika Afya
scheme and examine the key determinants of members engagement into Ushirika
Afya scheme. This study was guided by the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as the
leading theory and Social capital theory. The study adopted a cross-sectional research
design. The target population of the study was 1750 co-operative members who are in
the Ushirika Afya scheme in the AMCOS at Babati district, Manyara region Tanzania
and a sample size of 300 respondents. The study gathered both quantitative and
qualitative data. Descriptive and thematic analysis was used to analyse data for the
specific objective one and two and inferential analysis for the specific objective three.
The study findings indicated that socio-demographic factors, including age, marital
status, household income and size, level of education and economic activity have
significantly influenced cooperative members in the Ushirika Afya scheme. Thematic
analysis revealed that cooperative members' perception towards Ushirika afya was for
health concerns, health protection, old and aged cooperative members, for sick people,
and a government established scheme for cooperative members in AMCOS. The study
demonstrated that the dependent variable is member engagement in the Ushirika Afya
scheme and the independent variables are subjective norm, attitude, aspiration and
perceived behavioural control. These variables were found to have a positive influence
on members' engagement in the Ushirika Afya scheme. The study concludes that
elder’s enrolment in Ushirika Afya scheme is higher compared to youth because of
low engagement for youth in Cooperative activities. The study recommends that
AMCOS should tailor their strategies on youth and services based on their needs.
AMCOS and NHIF should invest in providing high-quality training and educational
programs. The study recommends that TCDC needs to have an organised co-operative
Health insurance program that will meet the needs of all cooperative members and
non-cooperative members.