COMMUNITY PERCEPTION OF THE IMPACT OF RADIO MESSAGES ON VESICO VAGINAL FISTULA DISEASE IN NORTH-WEST NIGERIA
P.T. Marcus
Department of Mass Communication
Plateau State University, Bokkos
Plateau State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
A communication intervention in Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) is a core eradication agenda strategy and exposure to intervention messages could help to achieve the goal of preventing and controlling VVF in Nigeria. This study was designed to assess community perception of the impact of radio messages on Vesico Vaginal Fistula Disease in North-west Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, survey research design was adopted while; interview and Focus Group Discussions were used as the research instruments for data collection. The data was analyzed using content analysis by adopting the six-step model of Bryman. The findings shows that awareness of VVF was through other radio programmes where friendly health issues are also discussed, but there was no specific programme devoted to the campaign on the disease. The radio provided the needed information on VVF and, for those that heard the messages, they used such information to enhance their knowledge of the disease, but its impact were not significant because the messages do not reach majority of people in the study area and was not the major source of information about the disease. All health personnel and the media houses covered concurred that radio messages on VVF have not been conducted regularly and there is no specific day for reporting on the disease. Media practitioners have encountered many problems in their involvement in campaign against VVF in North West Nigeria. Some of the challenges identified included shortage of staff, lack of modern equipment, technical knowledge about VVF and health reporting, competition from other programmes, and short duration for VVF related stories. The study concluded that despite the fact that radio mass media have enormous potential to influence health-related behaviours and perceptions, the use of media for health development is not without hitches or challenges. The study recommended that Messages on life repulsive health condition, such as VVF should be frequently aired, possibly, broadcast on a daily basis so that people in the study area can be well informed about the disease. Also, for the radio to achieve the desired results on VVF, it should use the appropriate channels that are people oriented and also increase their campaigns by dedicating programmes to the campaignKeywords: Vesico Vaginal Fistula; Radio; Radio messages; Perception; North-
