An assessment of the trainability of beggars and the destitute in Abakaliki Nigeria: implication for policy on their health, vocational rehabilitation and social reintegration.

Background: Begging and destitution constitute serious health and social problems in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objectives: The 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.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey of 50 purposively selected beggars and destitute persons identified from motor parks, church cathedrals, market places etc.