AN EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF ELDERLY ( BINJI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Aging constitutes a fundamental aspect of both national and economic progress, marking an unavoidable, natural progression intertwined with health challenges requiring attention (Cadmus et al., 2021). The persistent human aspiration to delay aging and stave off mortality stems from an innate fear of the aging process and death (Cadmus et al., 2021). Healthy aging is an ongoing endeavor aimed at optimizing physical, social, and mental well-being, preserving independence, enhancing quality of life, and facilitating successful transitions in life (Abu, 2018). While the World Health Organization defines individuals aged 65 and above as elderly, in Nigeria, the threshold is set at 60 years (Mamman & Attah, 2019). Elderly care encompasses a spectrum of services tailored to the unique needs of seniors, including assisted living, adult day care, long-term care, and hospice care, among others (Ekpenyong et al., 2019). The provision of elderly care is multifaceted and culturally influenced, defying a singular approach (Ekpenyong et al., 2019). Many Asian countries, for example, prioritize traditional family caregiving over government-established services (Chawla, 2019). Central to elderly care is the preservation of seniors' dignity while addressing their social and personal needs (Chawla, 2006). Much of elderly care operates within the unpaid sector globally, with wide-ranging variations in the types of care provided and regional disparities within countries (Brown, 2018). As the global elderly population burgeons, especially in developing nations, the demand for eldercare escalates due to factors such as declining fertility rates and smaller family sizes (Ekpenyong et al., 2019).

Traditionally, extended families assumed the responsibility of elderly care; however, modern trends such as smaller family sizes and increased female workforce participation have shifted this responsibility to state or charitable institutions (Cox & Mberia, 2018). In Nigeria's rural communities, where essential services and infrastructure are often lacking, elderly individuals face compounded challenges due to financial constraints, physical limitations, and social isolation, exacerbated by cultural norms and traditional practices that marginalize them (Dorjahn, 2020). Therefore, a survey will be conducted to examine the impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state.

Statement of the Problem

The aging population in Nigeria is on the rise, driven by factors such as increased life expectancy, declining fertility rates, and rural-to-urban migration of younger generations seeking economic opportunities. However, amidst these changes, the elderly in rural areas often encounter significant socio-economic hurdles that impede their well-being and quality of life. However, access to social and economic opportunities is heavily influenced by an individual's socio-economic status in many societies. Despite the presence of evenly distributed resources such as healthcare facilities in some communities, socio-economic factors often impede individuals from effectively accessing and utilizing these resources. These obstacles may arise from financial constraints or a lack of essential information needed to navigate healthcare systems. Such challenges directly result from an individual's socio-economic position within society. Globally, individuals with lower socio-economic status face increased susceptibility to preventable and treatable health issues, even when healthcare facilities are available locally. Many individuals in these situations endure unnecessary suffering, despite the accessibility of conventional medical facilities and alternative healthcare providers. It is in the light of these that the study seeks to the impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to the impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state. Specifically, the study will;

Identify specific socioeconomic factors that influence the quality of life of the elderly in Binji LGA, Sokoto state.

Investigate the availability and accessibility of healthcare services for the elderly population in Binji LGA, Sokoto state.

Find out the level of economic status of the elderly in Binji LGA, Sokoto state.

Find out the challenges faced by elderly individuals in accessing socioeconomic resources and opportunities in Binji LGA, Sokoto state.

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What are the specific socioeconomic factors that impact the quality of life of the elderly in Binji LGA, Sokoto state?

How available and accessible are healthcare services for the elderly population in Binji LGA, Sokoto state?

What is the economic status of the elderly in Binji LGA, Sokoto state?

What challenges do elderly individuals face in accessing socioeconomic resources and opportunities in Binji LGA, Sokoto state?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Ho: There is no significant  impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state.

Ha: There is a significant impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state.

1.6  Significance of the Study

The study's findings will empower elderly individuals and their families by raising awareness of the challenges they face and advocating for solutions that improve their quality of life. It will also help families and caregivers better understand the needs of elderly relatives living in rural areas, facilitating more effective support and care arrangements. Furthermore, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on the impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life of elderly  in Binji local government area, Sokoto state. Empirically, this study will identify specific socioeconomic factors that influence the quality of life of the elderly in Binji LGA, Sokoto state, investigate the availability and accessibility of healthcare services for the elderly population in Binji LGA, Sokoto state, find out the level of economic status of the elderly in Binji LGA, Sokoto state and find out the challenges faced by elderly individuals in accessing socioeconomic resources and opportunities in Binji LGA, Sokoto state.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Binji local government area, Sokoto state, Nigeria.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. 

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Socioeconomic: refers to the interconnection between social and economic factors in the community.

Elderly: individuals who are advanced in age, usually beyond retirement age, and often experiencing the physical, cognitive, and social changes associated with aging.

Rural community: is a settlement or area located outside urban centers, typically characterized by lower population density, agricultural activities, natural landscapes, and limited access to urban amenities and infrastructure.