title: Effects of spatial location and household wealth on health insurance subscription among women in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compares ownership of health insurance among Ghanaian women with respect to wealth status and spatial location. We explore the overarching research question by employing geographic and proxy means targeting through interactive analysis of wealth status and spatial issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  The paper draws on the 2008 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Bivariate descriptive analysis coupled with binary logistic regression estimation technique was used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By wealth status, the likelihood of purchasing insurance was significantly higher among respondents from the middle, richer and richest households compared to the poorest (reference category) and these differences widened more profoundly in the Northern areas after interacting wealth with zone of residence. Among women at the bottom of household wealth (poorest and poorer), there were no statistically significant differences in insurance subscription in all the areas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results underscore the relevance of geographic and proxy means targeting in identifying populations who may be need of special interventions as part of the efforts to increase enrolment as well as means of social protection against the vulnerable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population and Health, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors.forename: Akwasi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumi-Kyereme
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Amo-Adjei
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty / Q000191:economics; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult