A Qualitative Study of Public Health and Policy Implications of Street Begging in Nigeria

Abstract

Regardless of the reasons for making begging a vocation, the beggars were noted as constituting a significant population in most cities of Nigeria. They are consistently becoming an interesting phenomenon in every academic discourse. This study, as a modest complement to existing academic efforts, examined the development and public health implications of street begging. It is qualitative in nature, hence the adoption of in-depth and key informant interviews as well as non-participant observation data collection approach. It covered six purposively selected areas with appreciable numbers of beggars in Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The investigated population from these settlements comprised 30 beggars, 16 staff of Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Health, 2 journalists, and 7 residents of the areas where beggars' joints were located. The data collected was treated with content analysis. The results showed that some of the beggars have been in the act for more than 3 decades. They viewed begging as a legitimate occupation rather than a nuisance to the society. Relative deprivation led some people to adopt street begging as a means of making a livelihood. Recurring business failure influenced the incursion into begging as a means of survival. The development and public health implications of street begging come in the form of environmental nuisance and health hazards, poor image of human development index in the country to the outsiders. With incessant increase in their population, consistent reduction of the percentage of productive forces becomes the order of the day. This consequently implies a breakdown in social welfare system and vulnerable socio-environmental system where unsustainability thrives.