Perception of Mass Media as Tools for Sensitizing Rural Dwellers About Infectious Epidemic; a Case Study of Corona Virus in Nigeria
Chapter One
Objectives of the study
This study aimed to assess the perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemics: a case study of coronavirus in Nigeria. The specific objectives are to:
- examine the level of COVID-19 media awareness among the rural populace in Oyo state.
- ascertain if the media campaign created a reasonable level of mass awareness of the COVID-19 epidemic, causes, effects, and prevention in the rural communities of Oyo state.
- identify if the awareness made any positive impact on the health behavior of rural people in Oyo state.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The chapter deals with literature review on the concept of the perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic: a case study of corona virus in Nigeria. This involves various definitions of mass media, COVID-19, Nigeria case of COVID-19, the review of empirical studies, theoretical review and theoretical framework.
Conceptual Review
In this section, the basic relevant concepts were reviewed. These include mass media, COVID-19, among others.
Mass Media
Mass media refers to a diverse array of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets. Mass media refers to the technologies used as channels for a small group of people to communicate with a larger number of people.
- Broadcast media transmit information electronically via media such as films, radio, recorded music, or television.
- Digital media comprises both Internet and mobile mass communication.
- Internet media comprise such services as email, social media sites, websites, and Internet-based radio and television.
- Outdoor media transmit information via such media as AR advertising; billboards; blimps; flying billboards (signs in tow of airplanes); placards or kiosks placed inside and outside buses, commercial buildings, shops, sports stadiums, subway cars, or trains; signs; or skywriting.
- Print media transmit information via physical objects, such as books, comics, magazines, newspapers, or pamphlets.
- Event organizing and public speaking can also be considered forms of mass media.
Mass media performs three key functions; educating, shaping public relations, and advocating for a particular policy or point of view. As education tools, media not only impart knowledge, but can be part of larger efforts to promote actions having social utility. As public relations tools, media assist organizations in achieving credibility and respect among public health opinion leaders, stakeholders, and other gatekeepers. Finally, as advocacy tools, mass media assist leaders in setting a policy agenda, shaping debates about controversial issues, and gaining support for particular viewpoints.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into a war outbreak in Wahan, China. The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but now it spreads from person to person.
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
The severe complications involve pneumonia in both lungs.
The best way to prevent the infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Other preventive actions include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. There is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter covers the methodology of this study. Key issues discussed includes; data collection, sampling technique, instrument for data collection, method of data analysis among others.
Research Design
The research design used for this study is survey. It is used as an assessment tool to provide information on which to base sound decisions. It also serves as a foundation for more investigation. The data gathered in a survey are usually answers to predetermined questions that are asked of respondents. This research method was adopted because it offers opportunity for the collation of facts and information from a wide spectrum of respondents without much expense, hence it is expedient for this research.
The use of survey is a favourable option for the following reasons:
- It is accurate
- It is unstructured and can capture time change.
This method is objective in the sense that the personal bias of the researcher is not allowed in findings.
Population of the Study
The population included all residence of the six communities selected in addition to all health care workers in the primary health care facilities situated there.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
Introduction
In this chapter, the researcher tends to deal with the analysis and presentation of data collected in the course of this project. A total of 400 copies of questionnaire were administered in the area under study and 372 copies were retrieved from the respondents. This represents 93% return rate.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
This chapter deals with the summary of this study, conclusions from the findings and recommendations which can be used for policy making.
Summary
This study assesses the perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic: a case study of corona virus in Nigeria. The study is in five chapters. In the first chapter, a general background of the study was undertaken. In view of the background, the problems of study were identified and stated, the research questions, the objective, scope and significant of the study were outline and discussed. Finally in the first chapter is the definition of key concepts used in the study.
Chapter two contains the review of various literatures on the concept of perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic: a case study of corona virus in Nigeria. This involves various definitions of mass media, COVID-19, Nigeria case of COVID-19. Also in the second chapter is the empirical and theoretical reviews, theory use as a basis for this study (information theory) was found best for this study.
In the third chapter of this work, the research design, population of study, sample size, sampling techniques, instrument for data collection, method of data collection, validity/reliability of instrument and method of data analysis were all discussed.
In the fourth chapter, data collected (primary) were presented and analysed to answer the research questions. Based on the various findings, the three questions were answered. After the analysis, the findings are as follows:
- COVID-19 media awareness in Oyo state was accessible to the rural populace.
- Media campaign created a reasonable level of mass awareness of COVID-19 epidemic, causes, effects and prevention in the rural communities of Oyo state.
- The awareness made positive impact on the health behaviour of rural people in Oyo state.
Conclusion
This study has underscored the perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic: a case study of corona virus in Nigeria. Findings from this research uncovered that the mass media is an effective tool for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic. This study is in consistent with the findings of Oketunji, Ibidapo Dr, which revealed that the media and the university has contributed significantly to students’ knowledge about causes, mode of transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS through its various health programmes such as provision of HIV/AIDS policy.
Thus, in the light of the foregoing, this study reliably concludes that the mass media has a positive impact on the population.
Recommendations
On the strength of the observations and findings made in this study the following recommendations have been made.
- Media campaign created on COVID-19 epidemic, causes, effects and prevention in the rural communities should be pushed further so it can get to the rest that have not heard of the disease.
- People should adhere to the instructions given to them by the media house.
Limitations to the Study
The study faced some constraints. They include insufficient literature material, financial constraint, time constraint, location of the case study. However findings and recommendation is made valuable for policy implementation.
Suggestions for Further Studies
This study has researched on the perception of mass media as tools for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic: a case study of corona virus in Nigeria. Further research can be done on the following:
- Mass media influence on population perception of epidemic disease.
- Effect of mass media on population precaution of epidemic disease.
REFERENCES
- Joseph O. W. (2018) Mass media awareness campaign and the prevention of the spread of Lassa fever in the rural communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Impact evaluation. Journal of Public Health in Africa 2018; volume 9:882
- Collinson S, Khan K, Heffernan JM (2015) The Effects of Media Reports on Disease Spread and Important Public Health Measurements. PLoS ONE 10(11): e0141423. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141423.
- Oketunji, Ibidapo Dr, “Awareness and Perception Of HIV/AID Preventive Strategies amongst Undergraduate Students of Adeleke University, Ede Osun State. Nigeria” (2016). Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 1470. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/1470
