CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1             Background to the Study

Human being have desires for many things in life, particularly those that are very essential to their well-being such as food, shelter, good water and good medical facilities and for these reasons people have continued to move from one place to another in search for better living conditions in their lifetime the movement could be temporary or permanent depending on the causes. One of the most noteworthy demographic phenomena faced by many cities in the world is rapid population growth in the urban centres, often caused by the prevalence of rural-urban migration (Agesa and Kim, 2015).

The 21^st century saw a continuous transformation of the world’s population into urban dwellers. Thus, urban population has increased from less than 30% in 1950 to more than 47% in 2000. Europe, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean are already largely urbanized regions with 75 % of their populations residing in cities (Asoka, Thuo and Bunyasi, 2013). United Nations Report of 2009 on Global Human Settlements indicates that currently, Africa is the fastest urbanizing continent in the world. In 1980, only 28 % of the African population lived in cities. However, in 2006 the number rose to 37 % (Asoka, Thuo and Bunyasi, 2013).

In Nigeria, the rate of migration is alarming, especially, rural-urban movement. The aspiration to settle in the cities can be attributed to lack of health facilities, training infrastructure, industries and recreational facilities required for decent living. Besides, rural poverty in Nigeria is relatively high (Uma, Eboh and Obidike, 2013).

Igbolo and Adaka (2017) point out that, from the sixteenth to nineteenth century, much migration was directly or indirectly related to colonialism. In some cases, the prevailing economic situation, natural disaster, wars and political crises do compel people to migrate. Over the years, in Lagos State, political and religious crises have played a great role in rapid population growth.

People migrate based on the prevailing conditions and the reason for it varies from one person to another depending on the situation that brought about the decision. Migration is a selective process affecting individuals or families with certain economic, social, educational and demographic characteristics. The movement of people from rural areas to Lagos State is a common occurrence. The movement poses some problems in the rural area as well as Lagos State (Ogunmakinde, Oladokun and Oke, 2015).

Rapid population growth in Lagos State is placing increasing pressure on the state’s ability to respond to health needs of the people. Hence, Ofuokua (2015) submitted that rapid population growth in Lagos State is placing pressure on limited appropriate housing, resulting in increases in the numbers of urban residents now found to reside in informal housing. Informal settlements present a range of health and development challenges to governments, including access to water, sanitation, housing, and adequate health services.

Similarly, Uma, Eboh and Obidike (2013) asserted that rapid population growth in Lagos State has created a lot of imbalances in health care service delivery owing to over stretch on limited healthcare infrastructures in the state. Consequently, Uma, Eboh and Obidike (2013) posited that different problems emanating from rapid population growth in Lagos State include: poor health infrastructures, housing deficiency, leading to slums here and there; waste management difficulties due to the rise in urban waste, which does not match with the available waste management facilities; crimes and social vices are on the increase as the unemployed migrants resort to robbery, kidnapping, financial fraud, among others.

Therefore, this research study seeks to investigate the effect of rapid urban growth on health infrastructure in Lagos State with a particular reference to Ikeja General Hospital.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

The rate of development between the rural communities and urban centers in Nigeria seem not to be proportionate to the rumoured allocations made to the local governments. The public’s speculation is that funds allocated to the rural communities had either been misappropriated or embezzled.

Owing to this phenomenon many rural communities suffered lack of amenities for good living such as health infrastructures, electricity, good water supply, good road networks and other developmental infrastructures. The resultant implication is increasing rural-urban migration and rapid population growth at the urban centers like Lagos State.

Rapid population growth in Lagos State is placing pressure on limited appropriate housing, resulting in increases in the numbers of urban residents now found to reside in informal housing. This presents a range of health and development challenges to the Lagos State government in providing access to both primary and secondary health care services, providing potable water, sanitation, housing, and adequate health infrastructures in the state.

It is against this backdrop that this research study seeks to investigate the effects of rapid urban growth on health infrastructure in Lagos State with a particular reference to Ikeja General Hospital.

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of rapid urban growth on health infrastructure in Lagos State. The specific objectives are:

(i)    To examine the effect of rapid urban growth on quality of health care service delivery in Lagos State.

(ii) To investigate the effect of urban population growth on the health status of residents in Lagos State.

(iii)  To explore the effect of rural-urban migration on demand for health care facilities in Lagos State.

1.4       Research Questions

This study will be conducted with the following research questions:

        i.            What are the effects of rapid urban growth on the quality of health care service delivery in Lagos State?

     ii.            How does urban population growth affect the health status of residents in Lagos State?

   iii.            What are the effects of rural-urban migration on demand for health care facilities in Lagos State?

1.5    Research Hypotheses

The following formulated hypotheses will be tested in the course of the study;

Hypothesis One

Ho:     Rapid urban growth has no significant effect on the quality of health care service delivery in Lagos State.

Hi:      Rapid urban growth has a significant effect on the quality of health care service delivery in Lagos State.

Hypothesis Two

Ho:     Urban population growth has no significant effect on the health status of    residents in Lagos State.

Hi:      Urban population growth has a significant effect on the health status of      residents in Lagos State.

Hypothesis Three

Ho:     There is no significant relationship between rural-urban migration and demand     for health care facilities in Lagos State.

Hi:      There is a significant relationship between rural-urban migration and demand       for health care facilities in Lagos State.

1.6      Justification of the Study