AUDIENCE RESPONSE TO MEDIA SURVEILLANCE AND COVERAGE OF HEALTH ISSUES

ABSTRACT 

This research work evaluates audience responsiveness to media surveillance reports about Lassa fever outbreak health issues among Abeokuta residents. The researcher adopted survey analytical method to carry out the study and the research questions that guided this research include what is the degree of responsiveness of Abeokuta South Local Government Area residents to media reports about Lassa Fever outbreak? What roles did media play in sensitizing the residents about the prevention of the epidemic? Which types of media did the residents get reports about Lassa Fever from? How do the residents perceive media reportage of the epidemic? The research work was given solid theoretical foundation with the review of Agenda Setting Theory and Development Media Theory.  200 copies of questionnaire were administered to gather adequate data. According to the findings, Majority of Abeokuta residents encountered media reports of Lassa Fever outbreak and the reports prompted a large number of them to either adhere to preventive measure or seek further information or to be societal conscious. Abeokuta residents described the media reports about the epidemic to be very effective because the media surveillance and coverage of Lassa fever have an impact on their cautiousness of the disease to a very large extent. However, it is believed that frequent media coverage of Lassa fever led to exaggerated perceptions of personal vulnerability. Recommendations made based on the findings include: pitiable awareness and knowledge of Lassa fever, together with poor housing facilities, characterized the communities studied and there is a need for relevant stakeholders to ensure better community health education and improved housing conditions in Southwestern Nigeria, with an emphasis on slum areas.