Influence Of Media Campaigns on The Level of Awareness and Knowledge of Lassa Fever Risk Factors, Prevention and Treatment Behaviour of Enugu State Residents

Abstract

During health emergencies like Lassa fever outbreak, there is general hunger for information, as a way of staying healthy. This no doubt, account for the sharp increase of audiences’ (listeners and viewers) quest for information during such periods. This study has as specific objective of finding out the level of awareness of Lassa fever risk factors, prevention, treatment, and practice among residents of Enugu State. The explanatory mixed method design was adopted for this study. From a projected population estimate of 4,411,100, a sample size of 384 was drawn using the automated online sample size calculator with confidence level of 95% and confidence interval of 5.0%. Instruments for data collection were questionnaire and in-depth interview while statistical package for social science (SPSS) was used in analyzing the generated data. The qualitative data generated through interview were used to complement the quantitative data generated using the questionnaire. The qualitative data from interview were discursively presented. It was discovered that the broadcast media influenced the health behaviour of people positively as it concerns Lassa fever risks factor, testing, prevention and practice. Also, eevidence from research data suggests that there is significant relationship between the level of awareness to Lassa fever media campaigns and the level of knowledge of Lassa fever risk factors, prevention, treatment and practice. Premised on data evidence, the researcher drew a reasoned conclusion that health campaigns from the mass media are capable of influencing the behaviour of the audience, and by giving health emergencies like the Lassa fever outbreak the needed attention, the researcher concludes, media can help reduce or totally eliminate mortality ratios in times of diseases and virus outbreaks through their various awareness and sensitization campaigns. The need for health advocacy was suggested. That is, the use of opinion leaders, particularly religious and traditional leaders to spread the gospel of healthy living be adopted. The need for future studies in this same area was suggested. But such studies should take broader scope, using the same research design and methodology. This is to refute or replicate the outcome of the research, thereby making the findings of this research to stand the test of time