Abstract:
The study investigated the public perception of the quality of services provided to orphans and vulnerable children in Enugu metropolis. A cross sectional survey of five hundred and thirty nine purposively and randomly selected persons was conducted using a uniform set of structured self and other administered questionnaire. The analysis of data revealed low perception to the quality of services provided to the OVC as more than half (66.4%) of the respondents were of the view that the quality of services to the OVC in the metropolis is bad. About 25.1% said that the government is trying their best, while only 8.5% held strongly to their view that the government is doing a great job. Factors such as educational attainment, age and marital status significantly affected their perception of the quality of services to the OVC. For instance, the data showed that respondents with lower levels of educational attainment hold more positive views of the quality of services provided to OVC than their more educated counterparts. (χ2= 56.15; P = <0.001)
The result shows further that the older respondents hold the view that the quality of services provided to the OVC is good. (χ2 = 138.91;P = <0.001). Again, there is a statistically significant relationship between marital status of the respondents and their opinion about the quality of services provided to OVC(χ2 = 33.83; P = <0.001). Ways of improving the visibility of the services available to the OVC so as to avail the OVC and the members of the public with the opportunity of making informed decisions were highlighted in the study. One of the commonly mentioned ways of creating awareness to the public of the available services to the OVC in the metropolis is through the churches. Others include Community sensitization and awareness through the use of media campaigns.
