Abstract
The practice of health communication as a behavioural change mechanism aimed at convincing the general public and health policy maker to adopt new health behaviour and policy shift in support of better and improved health condition is still a challenge in most developing countries of the world. In Nigeria for instance, the prevalence rate of viral hepatitis is high and the rate at which it spreads is grossly under reported. Health statistics on the prevalence of Viral Hepatitis B in Nigeria shows that 75% of the population are at the risk of contracting HBV. Research report further shows that HBV prevalence among surgeons are 25.7%, voluntary blood donors, 23.4%, infants 16.3%, pregnant women 11%. Report from Kano State shows that out of 440 HIV positive patients; 12.3% of them were co-positive for HBV. It is also reported that HBV is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease in Nigeria. In the southern part of the country were this study will be conducted about 58.1% of the patients with chronic liver problems were found to be HBV positive. The study is anchored on Communication for Persuasion Theory and Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI) model to demonstrate how effective reportage of health related data in support of media campaign against hepatitis can help to curb the prevalence of hepatitis in the South East Nigeria. Qualitative method is adopted. Recommendations are made based on findings.
Presenters
Samuel Chukwuemeka NwaminiAcademic, Assistant Lecturer , Mass Communication, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria, Ebonyi, Nigeria Linus I. Ogbuoshi
Professor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Keywords: Health Communication, Data Journalism, Media Campaign and Hepatitis
