CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1       Background of the Study

Worldwide, the number of persons aged 60 and over has been increasing at an unparalleled rate. In 1980, there were 378 million people aged 60 and above; 3 decades later, this figure doubled to 759 million and by 2050 is projected to rise almost threefold to 2 billion people (United Nations, 2010 and WHO, 2013). In almost all the regions of the world, the ageing population is growing faster than the total population (United Nations, 2009). In particular, the ageing population in developing countries has a higher speed of growth than in developed countries. Compared with other regions of the world, the population of Africa is growing older faster, at a rate of 2.27% (United Nations, 2013). Although the size of the aging population in percentage terms is expected to remain small, the absolute number of ageing persons is expected to increase dramatically over the next few decades.

According to WHO (2013) and UN (2010), the world population is rapidly ageing.

Between 2000 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will double from about 11% to 22%. The absolute number of people age 60 years and over is expected to increase from 605 million to 2 billion over the same period.

Africa, like other parts of the world, is undergoing rapid demographic changes and although the population is largely youthful, the proportion of ageing persons has increase tremendously over the past few decades.  The growth of the ageing population in Africa is accompanied by an increase in the modern age of the population, as well as changes in the dependency ratio, resulting in a decline in the proportion of aged 60 years and over. The changes in the age structure of the African population is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the continent. In Nigeria, those aged 65 years and above make up about 4.3 percent of the total population which was put at 140,431,790 million according to 2006 population exercise. The population of elderly (aged 65+) in Nigeria is on the increase as the crude mortality rates are gradually reducing.

Ageing in Nigeria is occuring against the background of socio-economic hardship, widespread poverty, the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and the rapid transformation of the traditional extended family structure. There is a potential for a rapid growth rate of the ageing popultion in coming year, with a lower growth rate among the younger population. The implication is a major change in the age structure of Nigerian society. Based on the findings of the National Census conducted in 2006, the National Population Commission confirmed an increase in the percentage and number of those aged 60 years and above. In the coming year, the ageing population is expected to increase and life expectancy rate will gradually increase with significant social and economic implications to the individuals and national government. For example, the old-age dependency ratio is not high at present (at least compared with the developed nations), but it will increase in the coming year. This serves as pointer to problems to come.

Plateau State as a fraction of the entire population in Nigeria has its proportion of the ageing population and this has a great impact on the general population.  This general increase in the number of old people in Plateau State has prompted the need for a study which requires a critical look on the topic ranging from abuse to lack of proper care, neglect to discrimination, lack of income and health problems. It is against this background the study draws its right to investigate the characteristics of the ageing population in Dogon Dutse Community of the Jos North LGA, Plateau State, in order to acquire data and information that will be used in policy formulation for the ageing population. This requires a shift policy-making and developmental efforts in order to respond to the changes resulting from the development efforts in order to respond to the changes resulting from the demographic phenomenon. In order to achieve this, accurate and reliable data on the ageing population in Africa must be easily and widely accessible to ensure that programs incorporate current and projected population trend into their planning processes.

1.2       Statement of Research Problem

In an ideal society, the thought of an old person gives a perfect image of a person who is retiring from work with retirement plans, respected in the community, low participation and living a simple life for the rest of their life and above all who needs special care from their loved ones and need to be catered for by the society, whose challenges should be well taken care for. Unfortunately, some old people enjoy all the things mentioned and many more while others are been deprived of those in their late part of life. The ageing population is faced with the challenges of health, moral and psychological degradation dependence, and in some cases mal-nutrition and stigmatization.

The old people are neglected, discriminated against, lack proper

accommodation, mostly ill, lack sources of income which make them poor. They are weak and neglected, stigmatized and abused by the society; they have ageing problem that require proper attention and policy for their well being.

1.3       Problem Statement

 An elderly person who is healthy is likely to live alone or with his/her family. If the elderly person has an income, his living arrangement could be good and can live a good life. As a result of the growing number of old people over time, which occur as a natural phenomenon without the consent of the person in question.  But as this happens, it comes along with challenges and opportunities. For example, it is a period of deprivation while for some is a period of resting, providing data and information about the ageing population will really provide a good insight on the issues concerning the old and how to improve and cater for them effectively in the future both at the national, state and local levels in Nigeria.

1.4       Research Questions

1)                  What is the number of the ageing population in Dogon-Dutse community?

2)                  Who are the old people in Dogon-Dutse community?

3)                  Where do they live?

4)                  What is their current health condition?

5)                  Do the old people differ in their socio-demographic characteristics?

6)                  What are the major challenges they face?

7)                  How can the old be best cared for?

1.5       Aim and Objectives

The aim of this study is to characterize the ageing population in Dogon Dutse community of Jos North Local Government Plateau State which is hoped to be achieved through the following specific objectives:

i.                    To determine the number of ageing population in Dogon Dutse community.

ii.                  To identify where they live.

iii.                To investigate their current health condition.

iv.                To analyze their challenges.

v.                  To describe how they can be best cared for.

1.6       Hypothesis

H₀: There is no any significance impact of ageing population in Dogon-Dutse community of Jos North Local Government.

H₁: There is significance impact of ageing population in Dogon-Dutse community of Jos North Local Government.

1.7       Significance of the Study

 This research work will provide useful information and understanding of the characteristics of ageing population and provide relevant detailed information for the formulation of policies and programs for the ageing population in the study area. This is aimed at the fact that the proportion of ageing population is growing rapidly, side by side with neglect, discrimination and violence from the society. The findings of this study would contribute to the body of knowledge and useful to researchers.

1.8       Scope and Limitation of the Study

 The scope of this study is limited to ageing population in Dogon-Dutse

community of Jos North, Plateau State. This is because of the relatively wide scope of the study in which maximum coverage demands a lot of time and resources.

1.9 METHODOLOGY

Methodology is the vital process of carrying out empirical study. It forms the background in which the procedure and method of carrying out a research are described (Nnamdi, 2004). The focus of this chapter is on the procedure of the research and the technique that was adopted in the study. The chapter highlights the nature and types of data required, sources of data, data collection, sampling technique and design, data management/analysis and problems encountered during the study.

1.9.1    Nature and Types of Data Required

 One of the nature of data required for the study is the demographic

characteristics (e.g. age, sex, education, marital status, tribe, language, occupation and religion) of ageing population and the other has to do with behavioural characteristics including health condition, living arrangement, and challenges/problems attached to elderly people in the study area.

1.9.2    Sources of Data

 This has to do with the persons, places or things from which information was obtained during the course of study. Primary data was obtained by the researcher in the area of study using structured questionnaire. For the secondary data, they would be obtained from journals, textbooks, papers, and internet on ageing population.

1.9.3    Reconnaissance Survey

 The reconnaissance survey was carried out to delineate the study. This was done by visiting the study area in order to delineate for sampling units and obtain an estimated population. This was achieved by informing the community leader about the study and the possible assistance needed by the researcher. The time needed for the study was notified by the researcher to the community which is one week.

1.10     Sampling Design and Method

1.10.1 Population

 The population in the case of this study was the ageing population in Dogon Dutse community. This means that the study include all the old people in Dogon Dutse community aged 60 and above with the total number of 107 population.

However, for this study, a total of 50 respondents were reached due to the study’s limitation.

1.10.2 Sampling Design

Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain sample of old people for the study. They were divided into units for the purpose of data collection. The researcher is able to identify seven units. The choice of using 50 questionnaires for 50 respondents which represent almost half of the entire population was borne out of the fact that the target population was small.

Table 3.1: Estimated Number of Elderly People and Sample in the Study Area