1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Research Objectives
The Iklin Parish commissioned marketing research consultants M.FSADNI & Associates (MF&A) to conduct a qualitative and quantitative Research Study with the Iklin residents hailing from Iklin’s four quarters. This social research project was sponsored by APS Bank.
Survey Sample
A sample quota of 403 Iklin household respondents participated in this quantitative research study. This quota comprised household respondents hailing from four Iklin quarters, namely, 116 respondents (29%) hailed from the San Gwann area; 110 respondents (27%) hailed from the San Luqa quarter; 101 respondents (25%) hailed from the San Mark area and the remaining 76 respondents (19%) hailed from the San Mattew area.
The survey was conducted by CATI (computer-assisted telephone interviews) in February-March 2015.
Salient Conclusions
Conclusion I – Salient Needs of Elderly living in Iklin
1 in 3 Iklin households confirmed that they have an elderly relative living in their household.
1 in 5 elderly residents living in Iklin suffer from ill health.
1 in 6 elderly residents are most fearful on the lack of safety at home and another 1 in 6 elderly suffer from loneliness.
Conclusion II – Suggestions on how the Iklin Parish may assist the Elderly
Ikin residents proposed a number of good ideas on how elderly residents’ needs may be addressed. Two suggestions which featured repeatedly included:
More home visits from parish members
Introduction of a day centre for elderly people
To introduce a group of volunteers to help in the daily needs for elderly.
Conclusion III – Salient Needs of Youths living in Iklin
7 in 10 resident respondents expressed that the there are limited places for youths to exercise in Iklin and another 6 in 10 residents observed that youths have limited spaces to socialise in Iklin.
7 in 10 residents expressed that youths spend too much time on the computer/ tablet/ mobile.
Quasi 1 in 2 resident respondents observed that Iklin youths do not spend enough quality time with parents who work full-time.
1 in 3 resident respondents observed that Iklin youths may be victims to bullying at school or by friend and another 1 in 3 also extended bullying to cyberbullying.
1 in 4 resident respondents observed that Iklin youths may suffer from loneliness.
Conclusion IV – Suggestions on how the Iklin Parish may assist Youths
Iklin residents proposed a number of good ideas on how youths’ needs can be addressed. Two suggestions which featured repeatedly included:
The introduction of a youth centre in Iklin
A more modern and animated Mass targeting youths may be introduced.
Conclusion V – Salient Social Needs of Households in Iklin
The resident respondents were presented with (prompted) a number of possible social needs and were asked to indicated with any of these social needs. This set of questions allowed for multiple responses to be given by the survey respondents.
Some 75% of all resident respondents observed that there is too much traffic in Iklin.
60% observed that there is too much air pollution causing respiratory problems.
Some 50% of the respondents observed that there are limited spaces where people can exercise and a further 40% observed that there are also limited spaces where to socialise.
Some 40% also expressed a lack of safety on Iklin roads.
Conclusion VI –
Expressed Interests in attending information sessions/ groups/ courses to be organised by Iklin Parish
From all four quarters, the San Gwann residents expressed the highest interest in attending support services which may be organised by the Iklin Parish, such as information sessions on loneliness; joining a befriending group; courses for youths on increasing one’s self-esteem and parenting skills for parents of young children. At least half of these San Gwann resident respondents expressed interest in attending these courses/groups which may be offered by the Iklin Parish.
The San Luqa residents showed somewhat keen interest in these support services, so much so that on average, a third of the resident respondents expressed their interest in attending these groups/ courses.
The San Mark and San Mattew resident cohorts expressed low interest in attending these support services.
Conclusion VII – Expressed Interests in other support services to be offered by the Iklin Parish
Other support services to address the Iklin community’s social needs proposed by the resident respondents comprised:
A support group for the elderly/ lonely people can be set up, i.e. a volunteer group to visit the elderly who are either house-bound or lonely.
A psychologist service / family therapist to assist social cases and broken families.
“Teenagers lingering around the playing field” may need some social assistance.
The introduction of a mother & baby club, courses on good parenting and a widowers’ group.
Conclusion VIII – The need for a more inclusive catechesis for children at the Iklin Parish
This conclusion did not emanate directly from the Research Study but was observed by Iklin’s Parish Priest based on his experience with children attending Catechism classes in Iklin.