Bridging the Health Insurance Gap in Akwa Ibom: A Data-Driven Tableau Assessment of Healthcare Financing Among Informal Sector Households

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between income, medical expenses, and borrowing for medical care among Akwa Ibom's informal households and how it affects their participation in health insurance. The results show a high dependence on out-of-pocket expenses, little insurance coverage, and frequent financial vulnerability using survey data and visual analysis with Tableau software. A third of households must borrow money to pay for medical expenses, while the majority spend modest amounts on healthcare. Affordability is further hampered by income differences between spouses and breadwinners. The results underscore the urgent need for inclusive financing strategies, such as community-based insurance, to reduce catastrophic spending and advance Universal Health Coverage for the informal sector households in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.