FEMALE STUDENTS’ ASSESSMENT OF VVF INFORMATION IN THE HEALTH PROGRAMMES OF BROADCAST MEDIA IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

Angie Osarieme Igbinoba¹*, Emmanuel Olagunju Amoo², Olujide Adekeye³ Eserinune McCarty Mojaye⁴, Ebenezer Oludayo Soola⁵, David Imhonopi⁶, Judith Ikhide⁷, Oladokun Omojola⁸

¹Ms., Lecturer II, Covenant University, NIGERIA, angie.igbinoba@covenantuniversity.edu.ng, angie.osarieme@gmail.com

²Dr., Senior Lecturer, Covenant University, NIGERIA, emma.amoo@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

³Dr., Associate Professor, Covenant University, NIGERIA, jide.adekeye@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

⁴Dr., Senior Lecturer, Delta State University, NIGERIA, emvmojaye@gmail.com

⁵Prof., Professor, University of Ibadan, NIGERIA, eosoola@yahoo.com

⁶Dr., Associate Professor,Covenant University, NIGERIA, davidimhonopi@gmail.com

⁷Ms., Graduate, Covenant University, NIGERIA, omolight1@yahoo.com

⁸Dr., Associate Professor, Covenant University, NIGERIA, oladokun.omojola@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

*Corresponding Author

Abstract

Africa is flagged off as a region of the world where countless young mothers suffer childbirth damages annually (Hamlin & Nicholson, 1966). The high prevalence of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in Nigeria has been traced mainly to the unfortunate situation in which the female folk fall victim to early reproduction without their reproductive organs being fully developed at the time. One of the direct causes of fistula in the country pointed out by Ms Ratidzai Ndhlovu, the Country Representative, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), was teenage pregnancy. Breaking the cycle of death among females resulting from fistula is achievable when the central focus shifts from pursuing the cure of the disease to promoting the prevention of the disease. This, as Harrison (2010) opines, begins with compulsory universal formal education. Information and education constitute part of the obligatory services of the mass media industry to the general public.

The researchers saw a need to conduct a study on Female Students’ Assessment Of VVF Information In The Health Programmes Of Broadcast Media In Ogun State, Nigeria hinged on finding out the major source of VVF knowledge; finding out how often the broadcast media are used; determining the degree of exposure to broadcast media health programmes; and determining the extent to which broadcast media health programmes address the issue of VVF. The population of the study constituted the entire SS3 students of three secondary schools located at Ota and a sample size of 224 respondents was randomly selected.

Findings surprisingly revealed that only 37% (that is 78) of the students knew about VVF whereas 63% (that is 133) of the students knew nothing about VVF. Also, interpersonal sources served as the major source of VVF knowledge represented by 21.3% (45 students). The television was indicated as the broadcast media used by majority of the students, represented by 53.6% (113 students), on a daily basis. It was recommended that the broadcast media and the entire mass media industry improve on the quality of coverage given to VVF and other reproductive health issues.

Keywords: Broadcast Media, Female, Health Programmes, Information, Knowledge, Students.