Health Insurance Expansion and Maternal Healthcare in Kampala, Uganda: A Qualitative Exploration in 2008 Context

This study explores the impact of health insurance expansion on maternal healthcare in Kampala, Uganda. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of mothers who used public sector facilities for antenatal care (ANC) and childbirth services between May and July . Data analysis involved thematic content analysis. Findings indicate that while health insurance coverage increased, there was no significant change in the proportion of women utilising ANC services or receiving skilled birth attendants, despite lower out-of-pocket costs. The findings suggest that although health insurance expanded access to healthcare, it did not necessarily translate into better utilization and service quality for maternal care. Recommendation is to further investigate the underlying reasons for low utilization of ANC services in order to identify potential areas for improvement.