TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page i
Certification
ii
Dedication
iii
Acknowledgement iv
Table of
contents v
Abstract
vi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem 4
1.3 Objective of the Study 5
1.4 Research Questions 5
1.5 Significance of the Study 6
1.6 Scope of the Study 7
1.7 Operational definitions of terms 7
CHAPTER
TWO: THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1.0 Theoretical Framework 9
2.1.1 Information Diffusion Theory 9
2.1.2 Agenda-Setting Theory 10
2.1.3 The Development Media Theory 12
2.2.0 Conceptual Review 13
2.2.1 Concept of Environmental Health 13
2.2.2 Concept of Development Communication 14
2.2.3 Major Health Issues in Nigeria and Government Health Policies 15
2.2.4 Health Situation in Jigawa State 17
2.2.5 Radio as a Medium of Promoting Health Education 19
2.3 Empirical Review 21
CHAPTER THREE: METHOD OF THE
STUDY
3.1 Research Method 27
3.2 Population of the Study 28
3.3 Sample Size and Sampling Technique 28
3.4 Research Instrument 29
3.5 Validity of Research Instrument 30
3.6 Reliability of the Research Instrument 30
3.7 Method of Administration of the Research Instrument 31
3.8 Method of Data Analysis 31
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND
RESULT
4.1 Field Performance of the Research Instrument 32
4.2 Analyses of Data on the Research Questions 33
4.3 Discussion of Findings 42
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY,
RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Limitation of study 44
5.2 Summary 44
5.3 Conclusion 46
5.4 Recommendations 47
5.4.1 Recommendations to study-Specific Stakeholder 47
5.4.2 Recommendations for Further Studies 48
REFERENCES 49
APPENDIX 54
ABSTRACT
Radio is portable, accessible without electricity, relatively economical and almost universally available. Hence, this study assessed the role of radio in the management of environmental health issues in Dutse local government area of Jigawa State. Information diffusion Theory, Agenda setting theory and Development media theory served as theoritical Framework. The study adopted survey research method, while questionnaire was used as instrument. The findings showed that radio enabled listeners to be adequately informed about health issues. And this invariably improved their health conciousness. It was concluded that more needs to be done in order to improve access of the residents of Dutse local government to radio to gain more information on environmental health. The study therefore recommended among others that more studies on the use of radio in creating awareness on environmental health issues should be published. This indicates a need for more and deeper study in such area which will help inform and educate the public and set agenda for public debate about health topics.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
to the Study
Over the years, health and healthy well-being of human beings have been conceptualized in diverse ways. Health or healthy well-being of humans does not merely connote the absence of ailments and disease. Its sum total also encompasses the proper physical, mental and social functioning of human beings. Health is also influenced by socio-economic, cultural, environmental as well as hereditary factors (Wilson, 1970; WHO, 1978; Deliege, 1983). The attainment of healthy well-being by individuals, and the community at large, is therefore, a social concern because a society can function properly only when majority of its members are healthy enough to perform the tasks that sustains human society. In all historical epochs, human societies have evolved institutions, which provide health and medical services, prevent diseases, treat diseases whenever sickness occurs and promote overall health well-being of citizens (Calhoun, 1978).
Environmental health is rapidly becoming a focus area for clinicians, researchers, individuals, and communities aiming to investigate and mitigate exposures to harmful agents. Environmental health can be defined as “freedom from illness or injury related to toxic agents and other environmental conditions that are potentially detrimental to human health” (Pope, Snyder, & Mood, 2005). Ample studies continue to demonstrate that well-known environmental hazards such as tobacco smoke, motor vehicle emissions, and may lead to negative health effects with continued exposure. Furthermore, specific hazards such as asbestos, arsenic, and radon can be found in rural states and warrant additional concern for their potentially negative health effects. To help communicate the importance of real or potential environmental risks, medical professionals are generally accepted as an educated and trusted source to distribute this information (Miller & Solomon, 2003).
More
specifically, the advent of radio has tremendously transformed the way
information is disseminated. Prior to its invention, people most especially in
primitive African society had their peculiar way of disseminating information
such as the use of town criers and assembling people in strategic locations in
the village such as market square to disseminate information to them. Colonial
masters brought radio to ease their administration and ever since it has been
to pass information from government to the citizen and people use it to
disseminate social and religious programs because of its capability to reach
large audience. Advancement in information and communication technology has
brought other means of information dissemination such as television, internet,
mobile phones, fax, telex, telegram among other (Ezekiel, 2014).
The radio is
intensively employed in environmental health issues campaign. Vast sums are
spent annually for resources and salaries that have gone into the production
and dissemination of radio programs. Radio is employed at all levels of public
health in the hope that three effects might occur: the learning of correct
health information and knowledge, the changing of health attitudes and values
and the establishment of new health behavior (Noar, 2006). Radio campaigns have
long been a tool for promoting environmental health related issues.
Communication
campaigns involving diverse topics and target audiences have been conducted for
decades. Some reasons why information campaigns fail’ is an early landmark in
the literature. Exposure to such messages is, therefore, generally passive
(Wakefield, 2010). Such campaigns are frequently competing with factors, such
as pervasive product marketing, powerful social norms, and behaviours driven by
addiction or habit. Radio campaigns have generally aimed primarily to change
knowledge, awareness and attitudes, contributing to the goal of changing
behaviour.
Jigawa state was
considered appropriate for the study because of the expose of people to greater
dangers of various health risk behaviours resulting from some cultural and
traditional festivals like harvesting, Durbar festivals, Traditional wrestling
events, wedding ceremonies, Turbaning ceremonies, Sallah festivals among others
that lead to stress and substance consumption. During these festivals
adolescents organize parties where various dangerous substances are used.
Therefore, this study seeks to examine the role of radio in the management of
environmental health issues in Dutse local government of Jigawa State.
1.2 Statement
of Problem
Health is a fundamental dimension of well-being and a key component of human capital. Radio campaigns have generally aimed primarily to change knowledge, awareness and attitudes, contributing to the goal of changing behaviour. A health management system that meets the needs of a developing country like Nigeria presupposes a thorough understanding not only of the reasons why the present radio program system fails to deliver health issues to the people, but also the dynamic decision processes of households to which the radio health program ought to listen. Such a clear understanding will help in redefining the objectives of national mass media policy and those of the active players in the radio health program delivery system. Consequently upon this, the study tries to fill the gap in literature and geographical location by examining the role of radio in the management of environmental health issues in Dutse local government.
ROLE OF RADIO IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN DUTSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, JIGAWA STATE
