Improving health insurance literacy for Nigerian students in the US: Evaluation of a training

Objectives: To increase health insurance literacy (HIL) and self-efficacy to find in-network healthcare providers among Nigerian students in a US university to ensure access to quality and affordable healthcare services. Participants: First-year and returning undergraduate and graduate students of Nigerian origin studying at a midwestern university (N = 39). Method: Using social cognitive theory, this project designed a tailored HIL training for Nigerian students to improve their HIL and to increase self-efficacy in finding in-network healthcare providers. The HIL training was conducted during an orientation event on campus, and pre- and post-tests were administered. Process improvement feedback from participants was also collected. Result: Paired sample t-tests revealed an increase in HIL after the training. However, there was no significant improvement in self-efficacy to find in-network healthcare providers. Conclusion: A tailored HIL training for Nigerian students may improve HIL. Future trainings should seek to include interviews with participants for process improvements.