Table 1 Socio-demographic and descriptive characteristics of indigents in the sample
Variables | n | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sex | Female | 1117 | 67.6 |
Male | 535 | 32.4 | |
Age | 18–24 years | 79 | 4.8 |
25–49 years | 485 | 29.4 | |
50–64 years | 509 | 30.8 | |
65 and older | 579 | 35.0 | |
Marital status | Married, monogamous | 564 | 34.1 |
Married, polygamous | 410 | 24.8 | |
Widowed | 461 | 34.0 | |
Single | 78 | 4.7 | |
Separated/divorced | 39 | 2.4 | |
Schooling | No | 1561 | 94.5 |
Yes | 91 | 5.5 | |
Literacy | No | 1548 | 93.7 |
Yes | 104 | 6.3 | |
Income | No | 1435 | 86.9 |
Yes | 217 | 13.1 | |
Perceived health status | Good | 322 | 19.5 |
Average | 891 | 53.9 | |
Poor | 439 | 26.6 | |
Handicap | No | 1263 | 76.5 |
Yes | 389 | 23.5 | |
Cognitive functioning | Altered | 1095 | 66.3 |
Non-altered | 557 | 33.7 | |
Ability to fulfill nutritional needs | No | 885 | 53.6 |
Yes | 767 | 46.4 | |
Begging behaviours | No | 1364 | 82.6 |
Yes | 288 | 17.4 |