Adult Perspectives on Street Begging in Sango, Ilorin: Public Health, Social Vulnerability, and Sustainable Policy Implications
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Date
2026-07
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Publisher
Centre for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnership (CISP), University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Abstract
Street begging poses public health and social sustainability challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. Its local causes
and effects are underexplored. It is against this background that this study sought to assess perceived causes, consequences, and mitigation strategies for street begging among adults in Sango, Ilorin, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional design with 460 adults selected through a multistage sampling procedure for a structured interview, using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data collected were
analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests at p<0.05. Poverty, disability, and family breakdown were found to be the key causes of street begging, while consequences included sexual violence and assault. The study recommended that street begging reflects deep-rooted social
vulnerabilities needing sustainable policy solutions like the establishment of destitute centres and the provision of financial aid for the destitute and disabled.
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Keywords
Homeless Persons, Poverty, Public Health, Welfare Services