Communication & Language Arts

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/284

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Potentials of Social Media for HIV/AIDS Campaign among Nigerian Youths
    (Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigerisa (AMCRON), 2015) 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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    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.