Communication & Language Arts
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/284
Browse
2 results
Search Results
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 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.