Overview

Original Research

AWARENESS AND USE OF RADIO FOR TYPHOID FEVER PREVENTIVE MESSAGES IN RURAL AREAS OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

ADEBAYO JOHN JAMES 1, ONAYINKA, TOYIN SEGUN 2, RAPHAEL OLUGBENGA ABIMBOLA 3, OMOWUMI BUKOLA OLASEINDE 4, and OLATUNJI, OLUSOJI SAMSON 5.

Vol 19, No 05 ( 2024 )   |  DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.11191135   |   Author Affiliation: PhD, Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria 1; PhD, Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria 2; PhD, Department of Mass Communication, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria 3; PhD, Department of Communication Studies, School of Social Sciences, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria 4; Department of Mass Communication, School of Business and Communication Studies, The Polytechnic Ibadan 5.   |   Licensing: CC 4.0   |   Pg no: 227-240   |   Published on: 13-05-2024

Abstract

This paper examined awareness and use of radio for typhoid fever preventive messages in rural areas of Oyo State. Focus group discussion (FGD) was adopted to access the opinions, behaviour, attitudes, thoughts and knowledge of the respondents about the awareness and the use of radio preventive message strategies for typhoid fever in the rural areas of the Oyo State. Findings showed that although typhoid-related preventive messages were aired on radio in Oyo State, but those typhoid preventive messages were restricted to urban centres. Findings also showed that handwashing, personal hygiene and safe sources of water are those issues mentioned during radio programmes. Findings also showed that timing and language are two major barriers in making typhoid fever preventive measures on radio a success in rural areas of Oyo State. Therefore, it is recommended that radio stations in Oyo State should beam their searchlight on the incidence of typhoid fever in the rural areas of Oyo State. Radio stations must devote specific programmes for anti-typhoid fever messages. Preventive messages against typhoid fever must be aired or broadcast to the rural dwellers in their local languages at night when they must have returned from their farms.

Keywords

Awareness, Use, Radio, Typhoid Fever, Messages, Rural Areas.