Table 1 Description of the independent variables hypothesized to explain willingness to participate and pay for National Health Insurance in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Age

How old the respondents are in years

0 = Less than 30

Younger people will be less willing to pay than older ones

1 = 31 - 45

2 = 46 – 60

3 = More than 60

Sex

Whether the respondent is male or female

0 = male

Males will be more willing to pay than females

1 = female

Marital Status

Characteristic of respondent marital status

0 = Married

Respondents who are married have a greater willingness to pay

1 = Single/Divorced/Widowed

Total number of people in household:

The number of residents within each household

1 = 2 or less

Higher number of household residents will lead to higher willingness to pay

2 = 3 – 5

3 = More than 5

Geographic location

Whether the respondent resides in a rural or urban area

1 = rural area

Residents living in urban areas will be more willing to pay than those in rural areas

2 = sub-urban area

3 = Urban area

4 = Grenadines

Education level

Measures the highest level of education attained by the respondents

0 = Primary school completed

The greater the level of education attained the greater the willingness to pay will be

1 = Secondary school completed

2 = Completed tertiary level education

Individual Monthly Income

The gross monthly salary of the respondent in Eastern Caribbean Dollar (USD $1 = ECD $2.70)

0 = $500 or less

People who earn more will be more willing to pay

1 = $501 - $1000

3 = More than $1 000

Employment status

Whether the respondent is employed or not

0 = Not employed

People who are employed will be more willing to pay

1 = Employed

2 = Self-employed

3 = Retired

State of health

Respondents self rated health status

4 = Excellent

Respondents who are in better health will be less willing to pay than those in worse health

3 = Very Good

2 = Good

1 = Fair

0 = Poor

Health insurance ownership

If the respondents has health insurance or not

0 = No

Respondents with health insurance will be more willing to pay than those without

1 = yes

Level of satisfaction with the public health care system

Measures the respondent level of satisfaction with the public health care system

0 = Not satisfied

Respondents who are satisfied will be less likely to pay than those who are dissatisfied

1 = Neutral

2 = satisfied