Authors:
Chancha, Terhemba Ephraim; Ater, Uter-Ater Martha; Ali, Ayuba and Igwe Samuel Onochie, Nigeria |
Abstract:
The study assessed the households level of satisfaction using various aspects of quality of life
domains of rural households in North Central Nigeria. The rural households were provided with
five (5) different QOL domains embodying various indicators. Descriptive research design was
adopted for the purpose of the study. A multistage sampling technique was used in selecting rural
households for the study by firstly selecting purposively two (2) states out of seven (7) states in
North Central Nigeria. Data collection was done through structured questionnaires with
participatory observation to elicit information from 284 rural households which were randomly
selected from two (2) states selected in stage 1 above. The data collected were analysed using
indices, mean, table and percentages, ANOVA, frequency distribution and standard error. The
result of socio-economic characteristics of rural households in North central Nigeria revealed
that, 115(40.5%) fell within the age bracket of (36-45years), 163(57.7%) rural households were
male, 166(58.5%) rural households were married. 87(30.6%) rural households had secondary
education, 164(57.7%) of household’s size of 5-8persons, majority of rural households
252(89.1%) indulged in farming activities as their major occupation. While, 129(45.4%) of rural
households had annual income of ?251,000-?351,000, Finally, the distribution of farm size
cultivated by rural households in North central Nigeria revealed that, majority 217(76.4%) had
farm size of 1-3ha. The result for assessment of quality of life of rural households in North
Central Nigeria revealed that, the overall quality of life of rural household in north central
Nigeria was adjudged poor (critical) implying that, majority of rural households 243(85.6%)
were not satisfied with access to various quality of life domains with overall mean QOL score of
X ?=72.90, S.D = 11.180. Based on the findings, the study therefore recommends a holistic and
drastic increase in budgetary allocation by government for the development and improvement of
infrastructural facilities which in turn will improve rural household’s quality of life.
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