Prevalence of Insecurity and Coping Measures among Households in Rivers State

Abstract

This paper investigated insecurity and survival measures of households in Rivers
State. Two research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study
employed descriptive survey design. The population for the study included all
members in the households in the study area. The total population of the study was
437,833 in the eight selected Local Government Areas. The study used Yaro Yamane
method to determine the sample size of 480. By cluster sampling, the 480 household
members consisting of 120 fathers, 120 mothers and 240 adult children were
selected. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean scores were used to
answer research questions one and two. The statistical tool of ANOVA was used to
answer the null hypothesis. From the findings, the demographic data revealed that
financial insecurity was 44.8%, environmental/physical insecurity was 24.4%, food
insecurity was 22.7% and social insecurity was 6.0%. The survival measures mostly
identified were empowering members, providing modular refinery, and investing
in legal businesses or trade. The study recommends that Government and NGOs
should empower family members with entrepreneurial skills, and proper financial
management practices should be imbibed by family members through prudent
spending, thrift saving, and wise investment amongst others. This would provide
life skills for family members’ survival.