THE ROLE OF RADIO HEALTH PROGRAMMES IN PROMOTING PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO CURB THE SPREAD OF CORONA VIRUS IN NIGERIA: WAZOBIA FM 95.1 ON FOCUS
Abstract
This study was specifically conducted to look into the role that radio health programmes played in preventing the spread of COVID-19, how radio stations educated the public about COVID-19 prevention strategies, and the extent to which Wazobia FM has contributed to this effort. In this study, the survey design was used, and basic random sample procedures were used. The population is made up of Wazobia FM 95.1 FM Abuja branch staff. 57 respondents were conveniently chosen, of whom 50 were validated, to determine the sample size. The study was anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory and the Agenda Setting Theory. A self-made, verified questionnaire was employed to gather data. Mean scores and frequency tables were used to analyze the completed and verified surveys. The results of the investigation show that radio broadcasts had a significant impact in halting the spread of COVID-19. The study also showed that radio stations educated the public about COVID-19 prevention strategies through raising knowledge of the disease's spread, raising public understanding of COVID-19 prevention, and teaching the public about the disease's symptoms and indicators. Thus, it is advised that radio stations acknowledge their crucial role in the battle to reduce misinformation in Nigeria and throughout Africa. This should improve their efficacy in carrying out their social duty of raising public awareness of the spread of Covid-19.
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