BROADCAST MEDIA AS TOOL FOR SENSITIZING RURAL DWELLERS

ABSTRACT

This research work empirically explored broadcast media as a tool for sensitizing rural dwellers about infectious epidemic: a case study of corona virus and Lassa fever in Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to examine the level of COVID-19 and Lassa Fever media awareness to the rural populace in Delta State to ascertain if the media campaign created a reasonable level of mass awareness of COVID-19 and Lassa Fever epidemic, causes, effects and prevention in the rural communities especially in Ika North East, Delta state of Nigeria to identify if the awareness made any positive impact on the health behaviour of rural dwellers . The study design adopted for this study is survey method, because it permits the collection of data from a large target population through the instrumentality of questionnaire. This survey method qualifies the researcher to measure respondents’ opinions, feelings and attitudes to questions asked with the aid of a questionnaire. The targeted population of this research study consists of rural dwellers in the Geo-political zone in Delta state which is the Ika North East . The data collection method for this study is the questionnaire. There is lack of information and resources for health care in many rural areas. Through broadcast media, Important information such as preventive actions, symptoms, and available health care services can be easily shared.