The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has had a profound impact on the world. At the time of writing this article, almost 760 million cases have been confirmed globally with over 6.5 million deaths recorded. Africa had lower numbers of confirmed cases and deaths as compared to other regions despite initial fears of the devastating effect that the pandemic would have on the vulnerable continent. Many theories exist to explain why this was so. However, low testing rates, amidst other factors, have raised concerns about the possible underestimation of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa.

The aims of this study were to assess the awareness and willingness to pay (WTP) for community health insurance (CHI) scheme; and the factors associated with the WTP among rural households in Ekiti State, Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was carried out among 420 households selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire, adapted from a validated tool. The Double-Bounded Dichotomous Choice Model variant of the contingent valuation method was used for eliciting the willingness to pay, with starting bid of 500 Naira per person per month. Data was analysed using STATA v10. Awareness of CHI was low at 23.1%. Half of the respondents (50.5%) who were aware of CHI knew the features. Willingness to join the CHI scheme among the respondents was 71.7%. The mean amount respondents were willing to pay per person per year was N6265.31 ± N4348.83. Being unemployed (AOR=0.02; CI=0.00-0.912) and knowledge of the benefits of having a health insurance (AOR=24.68; CI=4.52-134.76) were significant predictors of the Willingness to pay. Increased community mobilization and health education intervention on Community Health Insurance should be designed and provided to the communities with emphasis on the role, operations and especially, the benefits of CHI.