Survey Reveals Gaps in Public Health Knowledge

A recent survey conducted by GeoPoll has shed light on alarming knowledge gaps among Kenyans regarding the Social Health Authority (SHA) and its Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). The poll, carried out in February 2025 with nearly 1,000 adult respondents, found that 42% of participants said they lacked awareness about SHIF, signaling widespread confusion about how public health insurance functions.
The survey also surfaced strong perceptions of mismanagement: 75% of those polled flagged corruption or inefficiency in SHA operations as a major barrier. Other concerns included poor access to healthcare facilities (48%) and limited public awareness (42%). These findings suggest that knowledge gaps are not just about understanding insurance mechanics — they also reflect deep mistrust in the system.
Adding to this, a study among Kenyan undergraduate healthcare students revealed that only 21.7% had high knowledge of SHA/SHIF, despite being in health-related programs. The same study also found that just over half of the students showed strong digital health literacy — indicating potential barriers not only in awareness but in accessing and interpreting health information online.
Experts say these findings highlight the urgent need for a national health literacy campaign. Enhancing public understanding of SHA/SHIF, improving transparency, and leveraging digital platforms could help bridge these gaps — ultimately strengthening Kenya’s move toward more inclusive health coverage.