Nexus among indigenous languages, agricultural radio programmes and behavioural change towards agricultural practices in Nigeria.

This study investigated the interrelationship between indigenous languages, agricultural radio programmes and behavioural change towards agricultural practices in Nigeria, focusing on three states (Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau). The following research objectives guided the study: to ascertain farmers' awareness of radio programmes in indigenous languages, identify farmers' sources of information, ascertain farmers' access to agricultural extension workers and the language of engagement, and examine the influence of radio programmes in indigenous languages on farmers' behaviour towards agricultural practices. The study adopted a survey research design with a questionnaire administered to 663 randomly selected farmers in Plateau, Nasarawa, and Benue states using a multistage sampling technique. Findings showed that indigenous languages play an integral role in bringing about behavioural change towards agriculture in Nigeria, with a mean Score of 3.4706 and a Standard Deviation of 1.5668. Further findings also indicate that agricultural extension workers are ready sources of information, with the language of communication being that of the local community. The study concluded that behavioural changes are evident in agricultural practices because these programmes have exposed farmers to innovations that have positively affected their agricultural practices. Thus, it is recommended that agricultural radio programmes aired in local languages should continue to be encouraged and sustained. This will help keep farmers abreast of trends in the farming sector, improving their agricultural practices.

Cultural Practices and Adoption of National Family Planning Communication Campaigns on Select Ethnic Groups in Nigeria.

This study evaluated the extent to which married Idoma (Benue State) and Igala people (Kogi State) in North-Central Nigeria were exposed to the 2017 National Family Planning Communication Campaigns. The study also examined their level of knowledge, the extent to which they adopted the campaign messages, and how Alekwu/Ibegwu and other socio-cultural factors influenced their level of adoption of the campaign messages. The study adopted a quantitative (questionnaire survey) research method. The data were subjected to a descriptive analysis, correlation, ANOVA, Pearson Product Movement Correlation (PPMC), and Binary Logistics Regression. The findings showed that the majority of the people were exposed to information on condoms, implants, and Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUCDs) (Cuppar T) in the course of the campaign; however, most of them were not exposed to information on Oral Pills, Vasectomies, Tubal ligation and Injections. Findings also revealed that knowledge of modern family planning in the study areas (51.2%) was below the 85.8% national family planning knowledge threshold and far below the expected 95% target of the 2017-2020 family planning communication campaign goal. Findings equally showed poor adoption of the campaign messages due to their cultural beliefs. The study concluded that family planning was often accepted among people whose ways of life have been significantly altered in favour of the idea.

Risk communication sources and knowledge of Lassa fever in Nigeria: An impact analysis.

This study examined the predominant risk communication sources for Lassa fever, and explored the correlation between risk communication sources and knowledge of Lassa fever in the most endemic states (Ebonyi, Edo and Ondo) of the disease outbreak in Nigeria, through a mixed-methods approach. Using the multi-stage sampling technique, 72 Focus Group Discussants and 653 survey respondents were selected for the study. Statistical analysis was conducted on the acquired quantitative data, whereas thematic analysis was employed for qualitative analysis. The results suggest that radio, posters and healthcare workers are predominant sources of information about Lassa fever in the endemic states. The majority of the respondents possess adequate knowledge of the Lassa fever vector, transmission routes, risk factors, and preventive measures, but knowledge of asymptomatic patients was generally poor across the selected states. The regression analysis indicates that radio and healthcare workers are the strongest predictor of the knowledge of Lassa fever at (beta = .191, p < .05, Significant. .000) respectively, followed by television and family members/relatives at (beta = .124, p < .05, Significant. .002.) (beta = .110, p < .05, Significant. .007) respectively. The study recommends among others that; more efforts in risk communication should be geared towards the dissemination of the health risk information through radio, healthcare workers, television, and informal communication within the family network to further promote the knowledge of Lassa fever and other epidemics in Nigeria at large.

Influence of Information Sources on Women's Behavioural Practice towards Breast Cancer in Lagos, Nigeria.

The global burden of breast cancer is increasing with an effect on the physical, mental and socio-economic wellbeing of the human population. Existing studies have majorly focused on the prevalent rate and clinical analysis of the disease, to the neglect of the nexus of information sources and breast cancer behaviours. This study examined the influence of information sources on perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived barrier of women towards breast cancer and breast self-examination in Lagos state, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was employed in eliciting information from 400 women respondents randomly selected through the multistage sampling technique method. The study revealed that Internet-related channels of communication had a greater influence on susceptibility and severity perceptions of women. On the perceived barrier of women towards breast self-examination, the majority were influenced by interpersonal networks of communication (friends and relatives). Based on the findings, this study concludes that information sources play a pivotal role in the breast cancer beliefs and behavioural practices towards breast self-examination among women in Lagos state, Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that a national communication policy that will incorporate the use of information sources to strategically influence the beliefs and behavioural practices of women towards breast cancer management in Nigeria be developed.

Health belief model and behavioural practice of urban poor towards COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Poor adherence to promoting health behaviours is a significant challenge for prevention and management of infectious respiratory diseases. Non-pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) remain a proven behavioural practice for reducing the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) currently ravaging the world. Studies on Covid-19 have primarily focused on epidemiology, virology, and potential drug treatments to the neglect of behavioural practice of low-income settings. This study examines the extent health belief model predicts the behavior of 405 urban poor residents of Ogun State, which recorded the first index case in Nigeria, towards adoption Covid-19 NPIs. A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the relationship between study participant characteristics, HBM constructs and unhealthy behavior. Study constructs were assessed on a four point Likert scale and were mean aggregated such that higher scores indicated stronger feelings about a construct. Findings shows that urban poor in the age group 30-40 years were more likely to feel susceptible to contracting Covid-19 (mean score: 2.59 and std. dev. 0.54), they also had a higher perception of the benefit of Covid-19 preventive behaviours than participants in other age groups (mean score: 2.95 and std. dev. 0.71). Also, the most prevalent unhealthy behaviour amongst urban poor residents was the indiscriminate use of facemasks as shown by almost half (47.6%) of participants who agreed that they use facemasks all the time even when alone. The study concludes that though urban poor residents feel threatened by Covid-19, nexus of factors such as low financial earnings, inadequate knowledge, and limited access to basic medical needs hamper the effective adoption of NPIs.

Combating Lassa fever for sustainable development: Interplay of perceived behavioural control and current preventive practices in most endemic States in Nigeria.

Lassa fever has become a recurring incidence in Nigeria with high case fatality rates recorded in recent times. Given that total compliance with standard hygiene is recommended as a fundamental ingredient for the prevention of Lassa fever, this study investigated the influence of perceived behavioural control and current household and environmental hygiene practices for Lassa fever prevention among residents of selected Lassa fever endemic states in Nigeria. Data collected from primary sources through a mixed-methods approach, using self-administered structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) was used for analysis and drawing of inferences. The sample size consisted of 663 survey respondents and 72 FGD participants. The quantitative data was analysed with the aid of SPSS version 23 using descriptive and inferential statistics while thematic analysis was employed in analysing the qualitative data. The findings indicate that the residents perceived certain recommended hygiene practices as 'easy-to-perform' while some are perceived as 'difficult-to-perform'. Compliance with standard hygiene practices is still partial due to the significant influence of Perceived Behavioural Control on current practices towards Lassa fever prevention in all the selected states at (R2= .023, .040 and .111 for Ebonyi, Edo and Ondo states respectively, at p˂0.05). The study recommends the establishment of community-based mechanized food/crops drying facilities at subsidized rates to remove the risk of food contamination by rodents during sun-drying and extensive use of interpersonal communication channels for door-to-door campaign for the total compliance with the preferred hygiene practices for Lassa fever.

Data on information sources, knowledge and practice on hepatitis B virus in southwest Nigeria.

In response to the global call for strategic information to understand viral hepatitis, the dataset provides information on the use information sources on hepatitis B virus (HBV) by residents of Southwest Nigeria. The data further shows the knowledge and practice level of residents on HBV. The data were generated among 582 respondents residing in suburban region of Southwest of Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states through a self-administered questionnaire. The data found out that residents of Southwest Nigeria obtained information on Hepatitis B predominantly from the internet (mean score: 3.0687and std. dev. 1.3604). Furthermore, residents of Southwest Nigeria had sufficient knowledge on hepatitis B infection (mean score of 3.239; std. dev. 0.7481). In addition, most of the respondents depicted a positive secondary preventive practice such as insistence on the use of sterilised object in body piercing, demanding for change of blade, needle from hairstylist, screening before blood transfusion (mean score 2.9874; std. dev. 0.7488). The data utilized the Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) coding the data. Cronbach Alpha was used in carrying out the reliability of the research instrument. Descriptive analysis was further employed in data presentation.

Health Communication and Behavioural Practice towards Ending Hepatitis B Virus in Southwest Nigeria.

Responding to the international call for strategic information to understand viral hepatitis, this study investigated the health communication practice on hepatitis B virus in Southwest Nigeria. Existing studies on HBV in Nigeria have primarily concentrated on health practitioners and their patients while neglecting detailed empirical data on semiurban and urban demographic information. This study examines health communication channels as predictors of knowledge, attitude, and behavioural practices with an emphasis on three Southwest states (Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun) in Nigeria that have the highest prevalence rate of HBV. Data were gathered through a survey from a total of 600 respondents of Southwest Nigeria randomly selected through the multistage sampling technique. The hypotheses were tested with the use of multiple regression. The result reveals that health communication channels for hepatitis B virus management had a significant influence on knowledge (F = 12.708, Df = 581, P < 0.05, Sig. at 0.000), attitude (F = 3.430, Df = 581, P < 0.05, Sig. at 0.000), and preventive practices (F = 11.075, Df = 581, P < 0.05, Sig. at 0.000) of residents of Southwest Nigeria, respectively. The study concludes that health communication channels such as the television, Internet, radio, newspaper, and health workers positively influence the behavioural practices of residents of Southwest Nigeria. The study recommends the development of a nationwide communication system on HBV targeted at putting an end to the disease in line with the 2030 global elimination objective of Sustainable Development Goal 3.

Effectiveness of Yoruba language radio jingles in promoting knowledge, attitude and practices regarding Lassa fever among women in Ondo state, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Lassa fever is one of the known Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that plague some states in Nigeria. Radio jingles in indigenous language have been adopted as a veritable risk communication approach to promote public knowledge in the bid to reduce the incidence of Lassa fever outbreaks in Ondo state which has recorded the highest number of victims in recent times. Given the high level of women's contribution in home keeping, food storage as well as maintenance of environmental hygiene practices, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), is fundamental for the control of Lassa fever. OBJECTIVE: The study examines the efficacy of indigenous (Yoruba) language radio jingles on knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards Lassa fever prevention among women in Ondo state. METHODS: The study adopted a qualitative approach using Focus Group Discussion as the method of data collection. RESULTS: Majority of the sampled respondents showed ample knowledge of Lassa fever. However, most respondents showed poor attitude towards the rodent vector and the recommended preventive measures have not been fully adopted by the majority of the respondents due to some identified barriers that hinder them from performing certain preventive practices. CONCLUSION: The radio jingles in Yoruba language have succeeded in promoting adequate knowledge of Lassa fever among women in Ondo state. Although attitude towards the disease vector is still poor and total compliance with the recommended preventive practices that will reduce the spate of Lassa fever in the state have not been achieved.

Data on new media use for agricultural training and research at Agricultural Services and Training Centre (ASTC).

Data available in this survey depict new media use for agricultural training and research. The objective was to determine how favourably or unfavourably disposed the respondents were to using new media for research and training. Self-administered copies of the questionnaire were used to generate the data from 47 agricultural extension workers at ASTC, Plateau State. Frequency tables and the Spearman's rank-order correlation were used to analyze data.