Factors affecting perceptions of the effects of poverty on family relationships: A case study of Ntungamo district

Abstract

The study was aimed at assessing the factors affecting perceptions of the effects of poverty on family relationships in Uganda considering a case study of Ntungamo district. 50 respondents were selected using simple random sampling to avoid bias and questionnaires with closed ended questions were given to them. The results showed that 89% of the respondents in the study were poor, 84% of the respondents were female and 16% were male, 58% of the respondents had attained secondary education, 49% were employed, 33% peasant and 18% self-employed. In regard to the effects of poverty, it was observed from the rankings that children not being able to go to school was the highest effect, followed by not being able to invest in the land that is available, and then not being able to have two meals a day, and last not being able to afford luxury goods. The Pearson Chi-squared results showed that poverty had a significant relationship with education level (p-value=0.045) implying the more education attained the less the chance of being poor, and for employment status (p-value=0.032) at 5% level of significance with the self-employed having less chance of being poor than the peasants and the employed for the employment status. I recommend that education programs should be put to at a lower cost to enable people in Ntungamo to attain more education easily so as to increase on their exposure, knowledge and opportunities so as to reduce on the poverty levels. I also recommend that the employed should get side business alongside their employment so as to increase their income sources and reduce on their chances of being poor.