Financial Inclusion, Health-Seeking Behavior, and Health Outcomes Among Older Adults in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose: This study examines the associations between financial inclusion, health-seeking behavior, and health-related outcomes in older persons in Ghana. Method: Employing data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Well-Being and Health-Seeking Behavior Study ( N = 1,200; mean age = 66.2 years [standard deviation = 11.9], we estimated regression models of self-rated health (SRH), psychological distress (PD), and health-care use (HCU) on a variable representing compositional characteristics of financial inclusion. Results: Multivariate logistic and generalized Poisson models showed that financial inclusion is positively associated with SRH (β = .104, standard error [ SE] = .033, p < .001) but inversely related to both PD (β = .038, SE = .032, p < .005) and HCU (β = −.006, SE = .009, p < .05) independent of other factors. However, after adjusting for socioeconomic and health-related factors, the associations were tempered and the effect of SRH decreased by 0.094 and PD increased by 0.065 points but HCU became statistically insignificant (β = −.020, SE = .0114, p > .05) Conclusions: Financial services inclusion profoundly appears to buffer against and retard health-related challenges in later life. Social and health policies targeted at improving the health outcomes of older people should include and build on the growing recognition of the importance of inclusive financial services and strategies.