Mass Media And Coverage Of Health Awareness System In Nigeria

There is a general feeling that rural urban health programme cannot be engineered by Mass media. But thanks for media pluralson. This term which refers to an increase in the number and variety of media structures and organizations has improved the variety of functions to which the media put in the society.

The aim of this study is to access the extent at which mass media propagates health messages in the society to minimize death and ensure better health condition.

In order to arrive at an objective conclusion, of the mass media and the coverage of health awareness system, I gave units on what health is all about and its relationship with mass media in the introductory chapter. In the literature review, I expressed the related review on the topic, which made me to understand that there would hardly be an absolve health improvement with out the motivation, sensitization, education and information function of mass media, in analysis from the respondent, it was fanned that "Health" is essentials in every society and must be followed up to ensure that members of the society is relieved from its treats. More so, I observed that mass media plays an indomitable role in controlling diseases. This is to say that through the involvement of the mass media in controlling disease, the society also has been more sensitized. However, the methodology that we used by the researchers was the simple survey method because of its ability to generate quantifiable data coupled with its being realistic method of extracting information from the people their feelings and opinions on the phenomenon which this study needed some at involves attitudes.

Actually the mass media played a unique role in combating the dispersal of communicable and non-communicable diseases, the researchers still recommend that the role hold more benefits:

The mass media:

Regularly conduct and provided to its specific audient with useful information. properly conduct and well organize more of health programmes to depict its purpose.

Finally, put on their whole armor fasten their girdle and be ready to take greater responsibility, challenges and demands, which would enable them attain the heights required from the spread of diseases and encouraging health development programmes.

Nevertheless mass media has entered in to its development stage and it is non- stopping since the masses rely adversely on media to shape their behaviour and belief toward certain health condition.

Nonetheless, it is better to prevent disease penetration in the society than to campaign for the cume. Mass media is out for all purpose.

Introduction

Health is the most essential inquedient of life, deny man of that, he remains impotent in life. Pegte do not value their good state of health until they have experience one form of sickness or another.

However, as it is being said that health is wealth, issues of health has overwhelmed our daily comments since revolution of science. According to records, sickness of various kinds has endangering the life of various citizens of Nigeria before, during and after the reign of colonial masters. Even at present, people of Nigeria among other developing countries still his and sign our the detriment of sickness especially communication diseases like syphilis and AIDS, etc.

On the other hand, communication system during the era was at its least functional stage that people of the third world countries rely on local. Communication for their exchange of ideas. The use of graphic representation does not have powerful effect on people. The use of metal and wooden gong gun shots and smokes do not impact much information to people and some new they are selective in nature and health messages are retarded.

Communication came and persisted in its function to entrance philosophers and seventieths quest to standardize the health welfare of people. Communication nature and modernized people of the third world and make them embrace changes in their health environment. One would day that since the advent of modern communication system, health issue has embraced a new and prosperous era in the society.

Nevertheless, white men came to relief Africa from the torture terrified diseases with the aid of modern drug and communication function to educate, inform and enculturation the people on the novel medicare. Since then the policy of health has being a dynamic ongoing process less academia"s would ask a million question on the immunization programmes since sickness has been pervasive, government, non-governmental organizations (NHO) and individuals are to fight it to a stop though the media.

1.1 Background of the Study

What is responsible for human death because a centroclinal issue. Considering the logerity of plants, early philosophers get worried on the quick passing away of animal. At a time they referred death as a "cheat on nature that come whenever it nill" - William shakes peare, as well as mystic transformation of human life philosophers in Egypt and Melia worked towards the mystery of presenting life with roots and herbs. As a result of this, records have Egypt as the firs place on earth to introduce medicine, which has perpetuated throughout the universe.

However, since Emerged in enthusiasm to discover and subdue human problems. It is true that science is a discipline that is anchored in the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge in the ability to question the nature of being and critical investigation of causes and effect.

Between 1500 - 1800, there was radical scienctific renolution. The rush and determination to discover science by man arise as a result of conflict noticed between different beliefs and attempts by man to achieve an improved environmental status. Economic necessity and the need to wipe out ignorance, improve health conditions and the craze for knowledge propelled the growth of science through historic perspectives.

Subsequently, the invention of penicillin championed the discoverers in exploration of health: Amtione Laurent Laviisier 91743 - 1794), the French chemist made uncamtable steps in the use of chemical in the production of health prevention and curing tablets during his time.

Besides, in 1960"s and 70"s Nigerian due to the in ignorance on health issues were tortured by the epidemic of child diseases especially in early 70"s and late 60"s. Also epidemic sexual transmitted diseases like Gonorrhea peppered the youths, married men and women. During the period over 20,000 citizens especially the children between one to tem years lost their lives. This is because people in the rural areas dwell more on roots and herbs with little or no precautions. These threaten the health of the nation and then pushed the country for campaign and may be relieved in these predicaments.

Furthermore, Acquired immune Deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a recent recognized disease throughout the world. 1st is called by infection with the Thuman Immune Defficiency Virus (HIV) which attack selected cells in the immue system and produces defects in function.

AIDS cases were first reported in 1981 in USA. Because it was common among homo-sexual then it was originally termed "Gay related immene deficiency disease" but in defense to Gay activism, the medical community renamed. It the Acquired immure deficiency syndrome (AIDS) This was more be as it was soon discovered that intravenous drug users, IVOUS, hemophiliac and recipients of blood transfusion were ecognized as being at increased risk of the disease as well. The mass media, which compares channels of mass communication, has been empowered by recent technological innovations to disseminate relevant information on the hazard of this endless sickness. Such sickness like messles, tetanus and whooping cough has reduced its victimization to the members of the society in the recent days.

Consequently the benefits of immunization programme cannot be over emphasized. At present children youths, and even people of age are relieved from contaminating diseases. Media participation since the initiation of modern means of communication in the 14th century by cyutembeng is tremendous. Bringing it closer to our geographic scope, many health campaign activities has been prosperous to prevent or minimize health problems. The Ebonyi leprosy on guimea worm, Orji River - River blindness, malaria and typhoid campaigns as practically endowed in the health awareness system which I will see in the subsequent chapters.

1.2 Statement of Research Question

The mass media as we know are grouped under print or broadcast. In a simple way, mass media include Radio, television, newspaper, magazines, billboards, music, books, journals, home video and publicity. On the other hand, the mass media function include surveillance on information, education, entertainment, mebilization, advertising and marketing etc.

However, these in its functions encourage the impacting or information and reaction by the audience which cannot be over-emphasized especially in a developing countries like Nigeria and others. It is not doubtful any longer, that mass media properly operated work together with its function to the society facilitate social changes which includes the controlling and prevention of that ravages human health beyond repair Obviously, Nigerian mass media have a long and distinguished history of using can medication to

Mobilize popcorn the cause of sexual transmitted diseases AIDS.

The benefits of effective and intensive breast feeding

Encourage the support of immunization programme to enhance better health programmes. Give people the information they need to protect them selves from infection associated with communicable disease or sexually transmitted disease. Impact fear in people on the danger of not being health conscious.

The question is to how extent has media caryat these functions.

This study therefore is tailored to resolve of these conflicting issues and consequently, contribute to debase about the role of the Nigerian mass media in the health awareness system.

Moreover, we shall partly examine some institutional and factors which influence the mass media in Nigeria. We shall at the time of analysis reveal, mass media that participated in the content of diseases in Nigeria especially socially transmitted diseases (STD).

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objective of the study is to estimate the extent of mass media coverage on health system awareness system in Nigeria.

Also, it is to analyze their performance, in effective, in other words the most likely way they have improved in the speedy; efficient, effective and qualitative method of health awareness.

Thirdly; as pioneer - investigators accepted popular impression of the mass media as capable of being employed to inform, educate, alert as well as used to encourage people to move away from absence behaviours capable of exposing one to HIV infection far a more sanitized and health environment.

It also includes to ascertain the relationship between health institutions and the media houses as it concerns elastic health awareness to the public.

1.4 Significance of the Study

The relevance of this study is to strengthen the strategic thinking and programmes of development to scrutinize how the Nigerian mass media towards health awareness system along side various element on national health programmes are being designed; implemented and monitored. These will equally embrace the strategies at health information.

It is hoped that this study will give an insight into the effectiveness of the mass media and other channels of communication as to whether information sent through the mass media" can and does make a difference in promoting change" as it concerns health. Another reason for this is to evaluate the effectiveness of public campaign though the mass media. For instance, immunization campaign, its need and how convincing messages are to the members of the society.

1.5 Research Question

We are most desired to satisfy hypothetical and imaginary questions concerning the issue of mass media and involvement in health awareness. This is to guide our research principles so as to come up with a dependable conclusion. The following will remain satisfied in our work.

Is health necessary in human life ?

Are diseases really a genuine threat to people?

Do health in any way effect the nations economy?

Is the any need of fight sickness to a stop?

Should the mass media be partner or collaborators with government and health ministry in saving our nation from the grips of disease?

Is there any need to assess media participation in disease control?

How committed is media on health messages?

Does mass media health campaign have powerful effect on citizen?

Are all health campaign carried by media paid for as advert?

Do mass media voluntarily carryout health message messages as a service to the society?

Do all media participate in health campaign?

To what extent has media helped in health awareness?

Of what significant in NTA Enugu and health care magazine in health mobilization?

Are all health campaign carried by media paid for as advert?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

HI: Members of the society have the time to get mass media campaigns on health awareness.
HO: Members of the society do not have time to get mass media campaign on health awareness.

H2: The society are influenced by the mass media campagn on health issues.
HO: The society is not influenced by the media on health awareness issues.

H3: Parents testraint their children against sexual transmitted diseases because of media campaign.
HO: Parents do not restraint their children against sexually transmitted diseases because of media campaign.

H4: Nursing mothers have improved in their response to immunization programmes.
HO: Nursing mothers have no improve in their response to immunization programmes.

1.7 Assumption

It is assumed that, majority of the populace though has been threatened by one sickness or another have not actually adhere to instructions and warning for health victimization. The implication of health hazards to individuals life and the society in general, considering the destructive inde it poises to plunge on our merest future with its promise and aspiration need a re-addressing to improve the living standard. Equally, we assume that the mass media is not versatile in health campaign unless it is a pad announcement, that mass media messages on health do not create a powerful effect on the public.

1.8 Limitation of Study

This work is expected to evaluate the health coverage system in Nigeria by the mass media, but we would not in all expectation claim hundred percent (100%) success, due to problems that cropped during our research. However, the study as to a reasonable extent affected by unavailability of human resources, in credible return of our shared questionnaire, which jeopardize our exploration on some necessary aspect of the topic.

Summary and Recommendation for Further Study

5.1 Summary

Professor V. Ramaliagaswamm once said when asked " how to minimize AIDS spread" that to care is a study, to control or prevent is a responsibility. Provention and care are the twin engine that should drive our effort for the curtailment of AIDS.

All the same in my interview with Walter Nnaji of NTA channel 8 Enugu, when asked "does health in any way effect the economic standard of a country", he said

Of course, a healthy nation they say is a wealthy nation. When the inhabitants of a particular society becomes sick every minute of the day, how would they work towards development, how could they face their daily activities, it is not economic decay.

If a country is rich, it is been determined by the amount of labour force of the country resulting from health standard of the society in general. Therefore standing on the above assertions, the content of health must be our daily vision. In addendum Kudoes the mass media and the development media which has specified between old and new and anticipation for our health in future. How ever, this work, which is the role of the mass media in coverage on health awareness system reveals to an extent the participatory role of the media concerning health matters.
According to the production manager and the new editor of NTA Enugu. Their participation on health system includes:

During invention of new health programmes they go on invitation but not paid.

Some health issues were aired as an advertinal to create effect and advice the masses on how to obstain from diseases e.g smoking cigarettes and HIV etc.

They also embark on self proposal research like going to areas where there is a health problems for instance Abakaliki leprosy and guinea worm scourge.

In the recent days, the immunization information is mainly their primary function aimed at fulfilling their objectives after their 1976 research on six child killer diseases namely meakes, tetanus, tuber culosis, whooping cough etc.

NTA also of to rural areas with health workers to inculcate people on how they avoid communication diseases and other health issues such as family planning and breast feeding.

Their messages are mostly dramatized when it is directed to less educated audience.

These are mapped out programmes on health such as alive and health: where specialist are called and questioned on some health problems. These programmes last for 25 minutes. At times it is a call in for views.

When considered on daily basis coverage the health institution invities them.

NTA often slot films like good bye tomorrow at their later night movie to stimulate the mind on the danger of the HIV scourage.

If it is a health workshop, the health workers pay just like advent"s

They use some health issues as a background to their news e.g farm news.

Most often they collaborated with non-government organization in some health matters such as EPI and NPI of early 80"s.

Healthcare magazine and other newsprint should complement in dissemination of health programme.

Dr. R. Igbedion of UNICEF Enugu said that time has passed when individuals or government are left to battle alone with health since the world has came to recognize the need for world peace and health. In Nigeria, he states, we are to save and save the people but since we cannot get to them on interpersonal basis we rely wholly on the media, he commented that recently NTA and Radio Nigeria is their backbone. Stating further, his 12 health communication" he explained that development journalism is what they rely and depend on in order to reach the maximum population of over 100 million citizen of Nigeria.

5.2 Recommendations for Further Study

Firstly, the Nigeria media practitioners should more beyond mere dissemination of information on menacing diseases towards more targeted and integrated programmes aimed at prevention and control of different using the mass media as a means to teach, enlighten and influence people at all levels.

Secondly, the government, non-government organizations, private individuals and even other health bodies should be encouraged in making freet strides of fighting disease and thereby improving our health.

For one cannot over emphasis the importance of joint efforts which festers effective control and prevention and preventive measures of diseases in Nigeria.

Thirdly, the media practitioners should use local languages or dialects appropriate to their target audience so that they can understand the health messages.

For if there"s no understanding and feedback, the media have not communication.

Nigeria is amongst the popular countries in the combat of deadly diseases and their great value for the future lies in their ability to perform the following roles.

To kick up health issues on public agents.

To stimulate wide spread societal support for disease prevention.

To create a conducive environment for new practices by providing an umbrells that shelters the intensive behaviound change programme from public forum.

To use the power the press reduced sterefyping and increase change programme from public forum. For Nigeria to achieve the above mentioned objectives the following should be done.

Specific members of the press have to be trained to be health expects to aliase with the government as to make effective use of the press on eliminating and reducing diseases spread.

Secondly, there should be regular press conferences with the national health committee or ministry of health. This will enable the press or mass media to be able to communicate accurate, objective, balance and factural information on health awareness system in Nigeria.

Thirdly, students of mass communication in all higher institutions in Nigeria should be educated extensively on science writing so that they can be able to report findings on our environment especially findings that affect our health. As a matter of fact, the media plays a veritable role in health awareness system in Nigeria and other countries of the world.

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