International Journal of Sustainabl

International
Journal
of
Sustainable
Land
Use
and
Urban
Planning
ISSN
1927.8845
|
Vol.
1
No.
1,
pp.
1.20
(2013)
www.sciencetarget.com



Assessment of Quality of Life Using Geographical Information
System Approach for Poverty Alleviation Decision-Making


Olajuyigbe, A.E1* , Osakpolor, S2 and Adegboyega, S.A3

1Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

2Department of Remote Sensing and GIS,

Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys Ile-Ife, Nigeria

3Department of GIS and Remote Sensing, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

The effectiveness of the mapping and assessment of Quality of Life (QoL) in the identification of problem
areas and in monitoring development policies makes it a suitable method in poverty studies. In an attempt
to enhance QoL as a strategy for poverty alleviation decision-making, this research has adopted the
analytical tool of Geographical Information System (GIS). Twelve indicators were used to assess the QoL
of Egor Local Government Area (LGA), Edo State, Nigeria. These indicators were grouped into three
different domains of life (social, economic and physical). Spatial autocorrelation check was performed on
the indicators to determine the spatial prediction method that was used to map each indicator. Of all these
indicators, only two were spatially auto-correlated. The two indicators were mapped using the Inverse
Distance Weighting (IDW). The other indicators were mapped using the voronoi polygons. The twelve
models were used to model and assess QoL with the utilization of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. The
weights used for the combination of the various mapped indicators were given by the respondents. The
QoL model was cross-validated using leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validation method. The result showed
that the QoL of 61.53% of the geographic space of Egor LGA was below average, 17.94% was extremely
poor, and 14.55% was average, while the classes above average and excellent were not on the QoL
model. In addition, the research identified priority development areas and concluded that the QoL of the
people of Egor LGA was poor and required urgent conscious intervention by all development partners
including the government.

Keywords: Quality of Life, Poverty Alleviation, GIS, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, Inverse Distance
Weighting

1. Introduction
The application of the concept of Quality of life
(QoL) is fast becoming world-wide. However, the
concept tends to be multifaceted and loosely-
defined. Studies have revealed that no universal
framework for assessing and describing QoL and
human well-being currently exists (Leidelmijer et
al. 2002). This is attributed to the fact that QoL is a

broad term which encompasses notions of good
life, a valued life, a satisfying life and a happy life.
QoL has been studied in geography, criminology,
urban planning, and sociology as a multidisciplinary
subject (Michalos and Zumbo 2000). In a
simple term, the quality of life of a person is what
he/she perceives it to be (Zaid and Popoola, 2010).

*
Corresponding
author:
olajuyigbe03@yahoo.com

.
Olajuyigbe,
Osakpolor
and
Adegboyega
2013
|
Assessment
of
Quality
of
Life


Specifically, QoL is defined as individuals’ overall
satisfaction with life. The study adopts the latter
definition as the working definition for this
research.

The relevance of this concept in the modern day
urban and regional planning context cannot be over
emphasized. To a large extent, the concept assists
in diagnosing previous policy strategies and
drafting new planning policies (Lee, 2008). In
addition, the outcomes of QoL also facilitate a
good understanding of community problems and
issues. The concept embodies new ideas about the
state of the environment, housing, people’s state of
happiness, work, marital satisfaction and the total
well-being of the population. Most research efforts
have been directed towards the analysis of the
various indices related to the objective assessment
of the concept. However, QoL is often measured
using either subjective or objective indicators.
Subjective indicators are derived from surveys of
resident's perception, evaluation and satisfaction
with life. Objective indicators, on the other hand,
relate to observable facts that are derived from
secondary data. This study dwells much more on
subjective indicators to have a direct assessment of
the QoL in the study area given the fact that
subjective indicators have lower data reliability
and higher validity (Foo, 2000).

QoL studies have received an increasing research
attention. The studies also vary in the scale of
interest since some are applied at country level,
some are at the city level; and very few are at local
level. The reason for large scale QoL studies is to
enable international comparison and this trade-offs
details for predictability (Costanza and Maxwell,
1994). A study of this nature recently placed
Nigeria at 156 out of 187 countries on QoL Index
(United Nations, 2010). The inability of such
studies to disaggregate their results to smaller units
such as Local Government Areas (LGAs) and
cities denigrate their importance for planning
purpose. Furthermore, most theories and empirical
studies of QoL originated from western society
(Tesfazghi, 2009). Such studies might not take into
consideration the peculiarity of the problems of
developing societies. Thus, the application of such
QoL studies for the development of developing
societies may be misleading. Also, QoL studies for
communities in Nigeria are noticeably rare. In
view of the foregoing, this study attempts, using

subjective indicators, to assess and map QoL of
communities in Egor L.G.A., Edo State, Nigeria
with a view to providing models that can serve as
decision support systems for poverty alleviation in
the country.

2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Area
The study area is Egor LGA. It is one of the LGAs
that make up Benin City which is the administrative
capital of Edo State, Nigeria. Egor LGA
has an area extent of 93 km. with a population of
339,899 (2006 census). The headquarters of Egor
LGA is Uselu. Edo State lies approximately
between Latitude 05o44..N and 07o34..N of the
Equator and between Longitude 060 04.E and.06o43.

.E (Fig. 1). It is situated 320 km by road, east
of Lagos. Benin is the centre of Nigeria's rubber
industry. However, oil palm processing is also an
important traditional industry.

There is a prevailing high level of poverty in this
LGA as evidenced by dearth of essential facilities
such as water, sanitation and health among others.
Most dwellers are farmers and petty traders whose
incomes are rarely sufficient for their upkeep.
Generally, the people of Egor LGA rely on the
government to improve their QoL, as the government
is in possession of their common wealth.
Unfortunately, governments have failed in terms of
delivery of development to the people of this LGA.
It is appropriate to therefore attempt to measure the
QoL in this LGA with the intention of suggesting
various measures that can assist in alleviating the
seemingly prevailing intractable high poverty
level.

2.2. Conceptual Framework
This study relies on (Pearl, 2011) model of Quality
of Life as depicted in Fig. 2. The model relies
essentially on the use of subjective approach that
makes use of perception parameters for the
measurement of quality of life. These perceptions
are assumed to show people’s QoL assessment
based on their experiences. Evaluated indicators
are subsequently grouped into three main domains,
the physical, social, and economic, which
constitute the subjective QoL.

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International Journal of Sustainable Land Use and Urban Planning | Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 1.20 3
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Figure 1: The Study Area
Figure 2: Pearl (2011) Model of Quality of Life
However, several other scholars have combined
both subjective and objective approaches or use
either for such measurement.
The model is further supported by Lee (2008) who
emphasizes that QoL must be subjective and that
the most appropriate method of exploring QoL is
by directly asking peoples perception of their life.
Subjective QoL is measured using perceptions of
respondents towards specified indicators. Lee
(2008) also affirmed that the conceptual model can
support the voice of the society to be heard by
policy makers and planners by providing useful
information. He, however, warned that the QoL in
Subjective QoL
Indicator Domains
Physical Social Economic
Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)
Spatial Prediction
Perceptions to indicators
Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis
Quality of Life (QoL)

.
Olajuyigbe,
Osakpolor
and
Adegboyega
2013
|
Assessment
of
Quality
of
Life


any geographic setting (i.e. cities, neighbourhoods,
etc.) cannot be analyzed with single attribute
instead multiple attributes must be used to measure
quality of life. Campbell et al. (1976) on the other
hand argued that both objective and subjective
measures are necessary for QoL assessment.
However, a critical look at their work indicates that
these authors mainly dealt with subjective
measures.

Malkina-Pykh and Pykh (2007) proposed a
conceptual model that is based on a concept of
Pressure-State-Impact-Response. Pressure shows
the external factors that affect resident’s QoL that
can be measured using objective indicators. Health
service and built environment are examples of
pressure. State shows individuals’ response that
can be measured also using objective indicators.
Education level and personal health are examples
of state. The impact is the result of the pressure
and the state and it is the overall life satisfaction
(quality of life) that can be measured b