ANALYSIS OF THE WELLBEING OF THE AGED IN KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
ANALYSIS OF THE WELLBEING OF THE AGED IN KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2018-02
Authors
NUHU, Queen Samson
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Abstract
In Kaduna State, poverty is rife and the aged are more at risk as most of them are no longer in the economically active phase of life and there is no national social security to provide economic support in old age. The study examines the living conditions, coping strategies, the determinants of wellbeing of the aged as well as their type and sources of support in Kaura Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics and general wellbeing of the aged were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire, In-depth Interview and Focused Group Discussions (FGDs). Respondents were selected through systematic sampling techniques by picking on every third house except in a situation where an aged person is not found, the next house is picked. A total of 400 aged males and females responded to the questionnaire administered. The data were analyzed statistically using descriptive statistics. Majority of the aged people were grand multiparous females that engage in farming as a source of livelihood. About 49% of the respondents have been hospitalized since their 60th birthday and were without any fixed source of income. About 24.5% respondents were on special diet due to ailments and most of them could not afford their diet as often as required. About 42.3% get their drinking water from mono-pump and only about 21.3% boil the water before drinking. There were no recreational clubs and old people‘s homes, hence about 53.3% get recreated by strolling, and they live alone, without anybody to take care of them. About 54.5% feed adequately by either collecting food on credit or rely on others for food in order to survive. Food, money and shelter are being provided to the respondents by their children and relatives, so where the children and relative are unsupportive, such aged individuals have to struggle really hard so as to survive. The result of this study reveals that the aged in Kaura Local Government Area are not faring well. This emphasizes the need for the Government and other relevant bodies to formulate and implement policies like free medical care, making available and accessible food and clothes. Further efforts should be made by the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to establish institutions (like old people‘s homes and generic hospitals) whose primary goal will be to accommodate and cater for the aged in the society, particularly those who are living alone.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ANALYSIS,, WELLBEING,, AGED,, KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA,, KADUNA STATE,, NIGERIA