• Tina Nweze, Asfa M Yasin, Ugochukwu C Okolie, Alexander G Ogundele, Chigozie J Uneke, Uzoma Agwu, Philip C Omoke, and Nnenna Ajayi.
• Department of Educational Foundation, Ebonyi State University Abakaliki Nigeria.
• Afr Health Sci. 2019 Sep 1; 19 (3): 2728-2736.

BackgroundBegging and destitution constitute serious health and social problems in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the trainability of beggars and the destitute in Abakaliki Nigeria in order to provide scientific evidence required for the development of a policy on their health, vocational rehabilitation and social reintegration.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 50 purposively selected beggars and destitute persons identified from motor parks, church cathedrals, market places etc. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Analysis was based on mean rating (MNR), median rating (MDR), and range. Interview of each respondent lasted approximately 20 minutes.ResultsOf the 50 respondents who participated in this study, 17 (34%) were females. Most subjects were of age category 31-35 years (30%) and 36-40 years (34%). Fifteen (30%) admitted having sight impairment while 17 (34%) admitted that they were physically challenged. The outcome of the trainability assessment showed relatively high mean ratings (MNRs) ranging from 3.42-4.06 on a scale of 5 points.ConclusionThe findings of this study clearly suggest that there is a very high potential for the vocational rehabilitation and social reintegration of beggars and the destitute in the study area.© 2019 Nweze et al.

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