Browsing by Author "Onyechi, N. J."

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Communication and peace building: the 2015 presidential elections in Nigeria
(2017-09) Obono, K.; Onyechi, N. J.
Using the discursive analytical approach, this paper examines the role of communication in peace building, and describes the pre-election and post-election strategies and interactions that enabled a peaceful environment despite the overwhelming negative campaigns and volatility of the process involving the 2015 Nigerian Presidential election campaigns. Hence, this paper illustrates the communicative behaviour of the contenders and their public display in the media which serve as a model for political peace communication; and points to the power of strategic communication for peace building, which has implications for a violence-free environment, social order and political development in Africa.
Communication and peace Building: the 2015 presidential elections in Nigeria
(California Institute of Pan African Studies, 2017) Obono, K.; Onyechi, N. J.
Using the discursive analytical approach, this paper examines the role of communication in peace building, and describes the pre-election and post-election strategies and interactions that enabled a peaceful environment despite the overwhelming negative campaigns and volatility of the process involving the 2015 Nigerian Presidential election campaigns. Hence, this paper illustrates the communicative behaviour of the contenders and their public display in the media which serve as a model for political peace communication; and points to the power of strategic communication for peace building, which has implications for a violence-free environment, social order and political development in Africa.
COVID-19 containment and control: Information source credibility and adoption of prevention strategies among residents in South West Nigeria
(Intellect Limited, 2021) Adeitan, M. A.; Onyechi, N. J.; Omah, O. O.
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has generated unprecedented information on preventive strategies aimed at containment and control of the disease. This study examined the relationship between perceived credibility of information sources and adoption of COVID-19 preventive strategies among residents in South West Nigeria. The study adopted Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), while online survey and in-depth interview (IDI) were employed as the research designs. Convenience and purposive sampling procedures were used in the selection of 259 respondents and ten participants who were 18 years and above. Data were generated using questionnaire and interview guide. Descriptive statistics,Pearson correlation and multiple bootstrapping comparison test were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were transcribed and direct quotations that represented the participants’ opinions were used for the analysis. Key findings showed that expertise and trustworthiness determined the credibility of information sources while television was perceived as the most credible source of information. A significant relationship exists between perceived credibility of information sources and adoption of preventive measures. These findings highlight the need for preventive strategies to be disseminated through credible information sources.
Doctor-Patient communication: perception of doctors’ communication skills among patients in selected hospitals in Ibadan Nigeria
(College of Management & Social Sciences Fountain University, 2020) Onyechi, N. J.; Babalola, Y. O.
The importance of effective communication between patients and physicians in medical consultations has been previously underscored. This is very critical in the realisation of optimal health outcomes and general wellbeing of patients. While studies have attributed poor patients’ outcomes after consultation to poor services, understaffing, poor remuneration and inefficient structure; evidence from literature suggests poor communication between doctors and patients as an important contributing factor in incidences of conflict between doctors and patients. Thus, this study investigated the perception of doctors’ communication skills among patients in some selected hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Patient Enablement and Satisfaction Model (PESM) served as the theoretical underpinning while survey was adopted as the study design. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed in the selection of human and non-human samples. The city of Ibadan was stratified into local government areas (LGAs) while simple random sampling technique was employed in selecting both the LGAs and the hospitals. A total of 300 copies of the questionnaire were administered, however, 288 copies were found usable. Descriptive statistics expressed in frequency counts and simple percentages were utilized in analysing the data. Findings showed that patients have a positive perception of their doctors' communication skills and the communication patients have during consultation with their doctors enabled them to understand their health conditions and comply with doctors’ recommendations. These findings underscore the importance of patient-centred communication in medical practice and have great implications for achieving desirable health outcomes for patients. The study recommends that doctors in both private and public sector in the country should adopt the patient-doctor approach during consultations.
Explaining the effectiveness of community-based crime prevention practices in Ibadan, Nigeria
(Institute of Development Studies (IDS), 2016) Ojebode, A.; Ojebuyi, B. R.; Onyechi, N. J.; Oladapo, O.; Oyedele, O. J.; Fadipe, I. A.
The problem of ineffective policing still persists in post-colonial Africa and as a result, both donors and governments are seeking non-state alternatives or complements to the state apparatuses. These alternatives include private sector provision, donor-driven interventions and community-based or community-driven crime prevention practices. There is no shortage of community-based crime prevention (CBCP) practices in Africa and they come in a variety of forms and models: neighbourhood watches, vigilantes, religious and ethnic militias, and neighbourhood guards. However, the effectiveness of CBCP practices is still a subject of controversy despite the widespread prevalence of these practices. This study looks at the effectiveness of CBCP practices, considers possible reasons for their effectiveness or ineffectiveness, and on the basis of the research, makes some policy recommendations.
Explaining the effectiveness of community-based crime prevention practices. A case study from Nigeria
(2006) Ojebode A.; Ojebuyi, B. R.; Onyechi, N. J.; Oladapo, O.; Oyedele, O. J.; Fadipe, I. A.
Exploring mass media exposure and perception of terrorism threats among residents in Ibadan, south west Nigeria
(Nexus International University, 2023) Onyechi, N. J.
There is a growing consensus globally that a symbiotic relationship exists between the media and terrorism. In the light of ongoing security situation confronting Nigeria, it has become very critical to analyze and understand people’s perception of terrorism threats. Previous studies have focused greatly on media coverage of terrorism while there appears to be dearth of studies exploring the correlation between citizens’ perception of terrorism threat and their exposure to the mass media. This study, therefore, investigated exposure to mass media and perception of terrorism threats among the residents in Ibadan South West Nigeria. The study adopted cultivation theory while cross-sectional survey served as the research design. Probability and non-probability (stratification, simple random, purposive and convenient) procedures were employed in selecting (n=339) respondents. Results revealed that perceived level of terrorism threats to self and the community to be high while no significant relationship exists between exposure to mass media information on terrorism threats and perceived terrorism threats to self and community among residents in Ibadan. The study recommends that the federal and state authorities overhaul their security apparatuses and strategies in addressing the challenges of terrorism threats in the country.
Exposure to agricultural radio programmes and adoption of improved farming practices among farmers in Kajola local government area, Oyo state, Nigeria
(Ebonyi State University, 2023) Onyechi, N. J.
Background: Radio, a powerful communication tool globally, has proven to be the most effective in the development of the agriculture sector, especially in the rural areas. Radio has been recognised as one of the most powerful mass media for the dissemination of agricultural information. Objective: The study investigated exposure to agricultural radio programmes and adoption of improved farming practices among farmers in Kajola local government area (LGA), a predominantly agricultural zone in Oyo State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: Focus group discussion (FGD) was adopted as the study design while multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select forty eight (48) discussants. Data were collected with FGD guide and thematically analyzed. Results: Finding showed that majority of the farmers were always exposed to radio agricultural programmes, although the number of years varied. Majority of the farmers confirmed that exposure to agricultural radio programmes influenced their adoption of improved farming practices. Conclusion: The study concludes that dissemination of agricultural information through radio programmes is key to the adoption of improved farming practices. The study recommends that agriculture-based research institutes should partner with broadcasting organisations, especially radio stations, in the packaging and delivery of programmes that would provide rural farmers with up-to-date information on improved agricultural practices.
Exposure to mass media medicine advertisements and practice of self- medication among Undergraduates of University of Ibadan
(Department of Mass Communication, UNIMAID, Niigeria, 2023) Onyechi, N. J.
Self-medication has become a health care issue globally and concerns are not uncommon about the part being played by the mass media medicine advertisements in promoting its practice, especially among the youths. Few studies have investigated the correlation betM>een exposure to mass media medicine advertisements and self- medication among students from Nigerian universities. The study, therefore examined the influence of mass media medicine advertisements on self-medication among undergraduates of University of Ibadan. Cross-sectional survey was adopted as the research design while multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting 241 respondents across 8 departments. Structured questionnaire served as the instrument for data collection while descriptive statistics, Spearman rho and Pearson Chi- square were used to analyze the data. Majority (n=162; 67.2%) were exposed to mass media medicine advertisements 3 months prior to the study. Finding further showed a negative correlation between exposure to mass media medicine advertisements and self- medication practices among University of Ibadan undergraduates. The study concludes that there is needfor further studies to interrogate other plausible intervening variables that may be influencing self-medication among this cohort.
Facebooking ethnicity in the political storytelling of Nigerians
(Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 2016) Egbunike, N.; Onyechi, N. J.
After the so-called “Arab Spring”, the capacity of social networking sites to change communicative spaces and political landscapes has been studied with increased attention. The #OccupyNigeria Protests and #BringBackOurGirls campaigns manifested the influence of social media on civic engagement of Nigerians. On the other hand, Nigeria as an ethnic fault line state has experienced political tensions of brutish magnitude that have hindered nation building as well. However there is paucity of scholarly investigations that peer into the influence of social media mediated political storytelling in enhancing ethnic stereotypes or galvanizing ethnic cohesion within the context of nation building. This paper investigated the influence of ethnicity on political storytelling of Nigerians on Facebook. This study employed survey by administering online open-ended questionnaires to respondents. Data suggests that respondents' political storytelling was not affected by the ethnicity of their Facebook friends. Findings also showed that the political storytelling of their friends on Facebook was laden with ethnocentrism and that Facebook mediated political storytelling promotes ethnic stereotypes. The findings were discussed based on the meso- storytelling proposition of the Communication Infrastructure Theory, notions of nation building in the African context and reviewed literature on social media.
From digital advocacy to age reduction legislation, the story of Nigeria’s #nottooyoungtorun
(Department of Mass Communication, Imo State, Owerri, 2021) Egbunike, N. A.; Onyechi, N. J.
The #NotTooYoungToRun, a global campaign to expand youth inclusivity in politics. The Nigerian campaign, championed by the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), employed both digital and offline advocacy to demand a reduction in the constitutional age limit for contesting elections in the country. With the aim of making politics, especially the right to be voted for, more accessible for young people. This paper employed qualitative content analysis of 904 manually purposively selected tweets from the #NotTooYoungToRun Twitter hashtag. Six dominant themes: victory/inspirational youth movement, activism, youth participation, solidary/endorsement, partisan bickering, and ageism. The context of the representative tweets were provided by exemplar tweets provided under each theme. The finding revealed that Nigerian youths demanded and achieved the signing of the 2018 Age Reduction Act. This victory was based on a systematic social media campaign in which the youths advanced their message. In so doing, they set public agenda by getting influential young Nigerians to either endorse their message or/and highly placed publicly show their solidarity. In addition, Nigerian youths engaged politicians who pushed the legislation through parliament, until it was signed into law by the Nigerian president. The #NotTooYoungToRun campaign is an exemplar of how youth driven movements have harnessed digital media for social and political change.
Influence of erotic television films on adolescent students’ attitude towards people living with HIV and Aids
(Communication Studies Forum (CSF) Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2014) Onyechi, N. J.
The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), with its human and material losses, has continued to pose great health challenges to vulnerable human population groups. The factors driving the exacerbation of the pandemic are persisting, especially among the adolescent cohort in part due to widespread discrimination and stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS. Previous studies have shown that exposure to mass media could influence attitude and behaviour. This knowledge notwithstanding, empirical data examining the relationship between exposure to erotic television films and adolescents’ attitude towards people living with HIV/AIDS are rare. This study, carried out in Ibadan, Nigeria, investigated the influence of erotic television films on attitude of adolescent students towards people living with HIV/AIDS. The study employed ex-post facto and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) research methods. Systematic sampling method was employed in selecting a total oj 800 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 years from secondary and tertiary institutions, who responded to the questionnaire while purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 64 discussants who took part in the FGD. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and One- Way ANOVA. Exposure to erotic television films showed a significant relationship with adolescent students’ attitude towards people living with HTV/AIDS (p<0.05). Scheffe post-hoc analysis showed that increased exposure to erotic television films is associated with less empathy towards people living with HIV/AIDS. The result of the FGD revealed that a little above half of the discussants (52.5%) believed that people tend to show less empathy towards people living with HIV/AIDS because they lack correct information about the disease. With high media diet among the adolescent cohort, broadcast regulatory agencies need to establish stringent ethical measures in ensuring that factual information about the disease is embedded in such films. Intervention programmes embarked upon by Government and Non- Governmental Organizations should aim at reducing adolescents’ feeling of apathy towards people living with HTV/AIDS.
Influence of erotic television films on the sexual behaviour of adolescents in Ibadan, Nigeria
(Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigerisa (AMCRON), 2013) Onyechi, N. J.
Media critics, particularly parents, point to the implicit treatment of sex in the mass media. Since adolescents are believed to be heavy users of the mass media, exposure to erotic television films may provide a springboard for sexual experimentation, without fear of contracting HIV. Previous studies have shown that exposure to mass media could influence attitude and behavior. However, empirical data examining the relationships between exposure to erotic television films and adolescents’ sexual behavior are rare. This study investigated the influence of erotic television films on sexual behavior of adolescent students in Ibadan metropolis. The study employed ex-post facto and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) research methods. Systematic sampling method was used in selecting a total of 800 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 from secondary and tertiary institutions, who responded to the questionnaire while purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 64 discussants who participated in the FGD. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA. Exposure to erotic television films showed a significant relationship with adolescent students’ risky sexual behavior (p<0.05). Scheffe post-hoc analysis revealed that more risky sexual behavior tended to be associated with greater exposure to erotic television films. FGD result showed that majority of the discussants believed that exposure to erotic television films could influence adolescents’ sexual behavior. The study established the influence of erotic television films on adolescent students’ risky sexual behavior. Considering the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among the adolescent group, broadcast regulatory agencies need to apply more stringent ethical measures in controlling the erotic content of films broadcast on television. Government and Non-Governmental Organisations should focus on intervention programmes aimed at reducing adolescent unsafe sexual activity.
Influence of mass media exposure on knowledge, attitude and practice of COVID-19 preventive strategies among Nigerian mass media users
(Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigerisa (AMCRON), 2022) Onyechi, N. J.
COVID-19 pandemic is a serious public health problem that has resulted in unprecedented human and material losses globally. Although the mass media play critical role by providing people with information for its infection prevention control (IPC), public media exposure during health emergencies can be a double-edged sword in influencing citizen’s knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of preventive strategies. This study investigated influence of mass media on knowledge, attitude and practice of COVID-19 preventive strategies among Nigerian mass media users. The study adopted health belief model (HBM), cross-sectional online survey and snow-ball sampling technique in administering questionnaire to 432 respondents. Descriptive statistics were employed in analyzing the data while Spearman’s rho was used to establish relationship between the variables. The overall KAP findings showed good knowledge(n=424;98.1%), positive attitude(n=428;99.1%) and good practice(n=245;56.7%) of preventive practices. Exposure to mass media information on COVID-19 did not have any significant influence on respondents’ knowledge, attitude and practice of COVID-19 preventive strategies. The findings raise concerns about misinformation and fake news that trail COVID-19 pandemic and call for closer collaboration between media practitioners and stakeholders in the health sector in ensuring Nigerians are provided with accurate and persuasive information about the recommended practices for COVID-19 control and management.
Information sources and adoption of exclusive breastfeeding by rural mothers in Anambra state, South-eastern Nigeria
(Communication Studies Forum (CSF) Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 2016) Ezeneche, O. R.; Onyechi, N. J.
The rate of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) remains very low in Nigeria, especially in rural areas, in spite of the spread of information on exclusive breastfeeding. Scholars have identified that adequate information about breastfeeding from information sources can enhance knowledge, attitude and practice among nursing mothers in rural communities. Although previous studies have focused mostly on adoption of EBF, no known studies have been carried out in relation to information sources and EBF among women in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. This study therefore investigated the influence of information sources on adoption of EBF among nursing mothers in Anambra State, Nigeria. A mixed mode cross sectional survey design was employed in carrying out the study among 211 respondents and 24 discussants comprising women with infants not more than 6 months and residing in the study communities. The results show that health officials (45.5%), radio (32.7%) and television (6.2%) were the main information sources through which respondents were exposed to EBF information. The findings also revealed that EBF practice was very low (25.6%) amdng the mothers and that health officials, faith- based organization (church) and friends were the sources of information that had significant influence on the mothers' adoption of EBF. Information from the FGD also revealed that certain factors act as barriers to the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among the respondents. They include, among others, cultural beliefs and practices, the belief that breast milk is not enough, financial status, influence of mother, mothers-in-law and other family members and lack of knowledge about the harmful effects of suboptimal breastfeeding. The study established that, although health officials, radio and television are the main sources through which the nursing mothers receive EBF information, EBF information from community-based information sources are more effective in influencing rural nursing mothers to adopt EBF than the mass media. Also, certain factors hinder the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding. Hence, relevant organizations/agencies should utilize community-based information sources more than the mass media to increase the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding. Importantly, efforts should be made at addressing the barriers to the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding.
Information sources as predictors of knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers in Anambra South Eastern Nigeria
(Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo, Nigeria, 2019) Onyechi, N. J.; Ezeneche, O. R.
Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) practice has become global phenomenon considered gold standard for optimal infant health care. Variations in proportions of women adopting appropriate breastfeeding practices have been observed and these are important from a medical perspective, as individual's decisions on breastfeeding have implications for infant health. Aware that poor knowledge of EBF has been linked to its non-adoption, this study investigated influence of information sources on knowledge of EBF among nursing mothers in Anambra State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Information Processing Theory provided the theoretical underpin while survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were employed as research designs. Two hundred and eleven systematically selected nursing mothers responded to the questionnaire while 24 purposively selected discussants took part in the FGD. Finding revealed that health personnel (HP) especially nurses were major information sources on EBF practices. Pearson's correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between mass media (specifically radio, billboards/posters) and nursing mothers' knowledge of EBF. Stakeholders in health sector, including Federal and State governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), donor agencies and other health planners involved in health campaign, are advised to adopt radio as a channel of communication especially in rural communities where knowledge of EBF needs to be scaled up.
Media Use and Knowledge of Cervical Cancer among Women in Delta State Nigeria
(Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 2015) Onyechi, N. J.; Ogude, V.
The mass media are employed in carrying out campaigns about important health issues such as HIV/AIDS, family planning, drug abuse and diabetes. Although studies have focused on the influence of such campaigns on the general behaviour of the public, there are no documented studies that examined media use and knowledge of cervical cancer among women in Delta State, South-South Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated media use among women in Delta State, Nigeria in relation to their knowledge of cervical cancer. Survey and in-depth interview (IDI) research designs were employed in carrying out the study. Atotal of 340 respondents and 15interviewees comprising women between the ages of 15 and 50years were purposively selected for the study. The finding revealed no relationship between women's media use and knowledge of cervical cancer. There is urgent need to educate women on cervical cancer as failure to recognize early symptoms contributes to poor prognosis common in Nigerian women. Considering that the mass media have the potential that can be harnessed to provide people with adequate knowledge needed to contain the scourge, organizations/agencies that are involved in health campaigns should consider aggressive use of mass media(radio, television, newspaper and magazine) cervical cancer campaign in order to tackle this menace.
Perception of social media credibility and health information seeking behaviour: a cross-sectional online survey of youths in south west Nigeria
(Kampala International University, 2023) Onyechi, N. J.
There is a growing need to understand the credibility of social media especially in relation to users’ health information seeking behaviour. The social media provide unprecedented level of information on diverse matters, including health, to the youths since they have difficulties accessing traditional health services. This study, therefore, investigated the relationship between perception of social media credibility and health information seeking behaviour among youths in South West Nigeria. The study was anchored on source credibility theory, while adopting a cross-sectional survey and focus group discussion (FGD) as research designs. Non-probability convenient, purposive and snow ball sampling procedures were used in selecting(n=407) respondents who participated in the survey and (n=48) discussants who took part in the FGD. Results revealed that respondents are very active in their search for health information on social media. Results also showed that there is a significant relationship between perception of social media and health information seeking behaviour among youths in South West Nigeria. It is also recommended that relevant government regulatory agencies should develop clear policy frameworks and guidelines that will ensure that both governmental and nongovernmental health organizations/institutions leverage on the potentials of social media in their provision of medicare. These are expected to enhance robust medical coverage with better health outcomes for all patients, especially the youths.
Perception of social media credibility and online political participation by young adults in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria
(Franklead printing and publishing company, 2019) Onyechi, N. J.; Adeitan, M. A.
This study was carried out to determine the perception of social media credibility and online political participation among young adults in Ibadan Metropolis. This study was guided by the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). Mixed research method was used as the research design (survey and focus group discussion). The study employed multi-stage sampling technique to select (n=289 for the survey; n=40 for FGDs) respondents and discussants respectively for the study. Questionnaire and focus group discussion guide were used as research instruments. Results revealed that interactivity, accessibility from medium dimension and accuracy, objectivity from message dimension are the main determinants of social media credibility. Furthermore, results also showed that there is a significant relationship between perceived credibility of social media and online political participation among young adults. Thus, it was recommended, among others, that political actors should utilise this platform for online mobilisation of this cohort.
Potentials of social media for HIV/AIDS campaign among Nigerian youths
(Delmas Communications Ltd., 2015-04) Onyechi, N. J.; Obono, K.
Youths constitute a vibrant, critical resource input in the development process of any nation. It is, therefore, imperative that their health and wellbeing be safeguarded in the pursuit and sustenance of the socio-economic transformation of any society. With the unabated high prevalence of HIV and AIDS among this age cohort, communication campaigns must be restrategized, diversified and focused on effecting change in the behaviours that predispose young people to HIV infection. Providing youths with requisite information through social media has the potential of stemming the scourge of the virus. The paper critically examines the use of social media as a potentially veritable tool for campaigns aimed at combating the spread of HIV among Nigerian youths.