Scholarly Works Communication & Language Arts
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/325
Browse
200 results
Search Results
Item 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.Item Social media exposure and perception of drug use risks among undergraduates of University of Abuja(Department of Classics, University of Ibadan, 2022) Onyechi, N. J.; Chukwuani, C. C.Several studies have established the role of social media in shaping young people's perception of issues such as self-esteem and body image. However, scant scholarly attention has been paid to social media exposure and perception of drug use risks among this cohort. Using the social cognitive theory, this study investigated the influence of social media exposure on perception of drug use risks among undergraduates of the University of Abuja. Survey and focus group discussion (FGD) were employed as research designs, while multi stage sampling procedure was used to select the samples for the study. A total of 340 respondents filled the questionnaire, while 7 discussants took part in each of the 8 sessions of the FGD. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. Findings showed a correlation between social media usage and perception of drug use risks, as increased social media exposure led to perception of higher drug use risks and vice versa. Although majority of the respondents perceived drug use risks to be high, however they were undecided on the specific health consequences for users, especially youths. The study, therefore, recommends that relevant stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental agencies should carry out aggressive advocacy and sensitization campaigns that would aim to educate the youths on the health consequences of drug use and the need to live drug free lives.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.Item Status of HIV/Aids in Nigeria: communication issues, trends and challenges(Department of Mass Communication, Imo State, Owerri, 2021) Onyechi, N. J.Decades after HIV/AIDS appeared on global public health arena, it has remained a major public health issue that has social, political and cultural implications. Considering that there is no vaccine and cure for HIV/AIDS, globally countries (including Nigeria) have continued to deploy the tools of communication in providing its citizenry with key information about the disease and how and where to access available treatment opportunities This paper examined the current status of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, communication issues, trends and the challenges. Although Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders have deployed mass media tools in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the prevalence in the country appears not to be abating. The paper identified some barriers to communication efforts that need to be addressed in order to contain the disease. The paper also argues that communication effort should not only be stepped up and the tempo maintained, but it should also target the most vulnerable groups in the society (the youths, men who have sex with men, those who inject drugs). Furthermore, the paper identified the potentials inherent in the social media that could be tapped into in reaching the youth population. The success of any communication efforts depends on the extent to which those who plan the communication campaigns identify and address the needs of the target population, with a view to effecting a behavioural change and achieving the desired health outcomes. It is important to note that education and communication remain the only viable weapons in the fight against HIV/AIDS pandemic.Item 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.